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2020 Preseason All-AFC East Defense: Bills and Patriots lead the way

By Daniel Bruce

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 15: Levi Wallace #39 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with his defensive teammates after catching an interception in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 15, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 15: Levi Wallace #39 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with his defensive teammates after catching an interception in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 15, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 17: Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after a tackle against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 17: Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after a tackle against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Starter: Tremaine Edmunds, Buffalo Bills

Tremaine Edmunds took a big step forward for the Bills in 2019 becoming an integral part of one of the best defenses in the NFL.

The production was there for Edmunds finishing the season with 115 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one interception. Edmunds also posted an approximate value of 14. Edmunds makes his hay by disrupting the middle of the field, especially in the passing game where he can disrupt a lot of passes with his long frame and force quarterbacks to throw elsewhere.

Edmunds, played 95% of snaps for the Bills last season he rarely leaves the field and still just 22 years of age Edmunds has years to grow into the superstar he could potentially be.

Edmunds makes a great play disrupting the ball thrown by MVP Lamar Jackson, and having the awareness to turn around and grab the deflected ball for a great pick.

Starter: C.J. Mosley, New York Jets

Appearing in only two games all season in 2019, C.J. Mosley is poised to show what he can mean to this Jets defense. After suffering a severe groin injury, Mosley will be ready to go for the 2020 season.

Starting the season against the Bills last season in Week 1, Mosley looked great as the Jets defense was thriving. After Mosley left the game injured, the Bills started putting up points and ultimately made the comeback on the Mosley-less Jets. If that game can offer any insight into how much Mosley means to the Jets, they should get a big boost with him in the lineup next season.

Starter: Dont’a Hightower, New England Patriots

Dont’a Hightower had an exceptional season for New England last season, arguably being their best defender other than the Defensive Player of the Year in Stephon Gilmore.

With 71 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss, Hightower was stout in the middle of the best defense in football. He totaled a 17 approximate value which was tied with Patrick Mahomes which shows how integral Hightower is to New England’s success.

Backup: Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills

Matt Milano has blossomed into a star for the Bills and has been commonly regarded as one of the most underrated linebackers in todays NFL.

Finishing the 2019 season racking up 101 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss with an impressive 9 passes defended Milano showed how he is one of the NFL’s premiere coverage linebackers. Milano finished with a coverage grade of 83.3 according to PFF which is described as high quality in their grading system. Milano can match up well with tight ends and running backs in space where a mismatch is rarely found.

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