The defense for the Buffalo Bills underwent a ton of changes this offseason to the point where there should be a lot more confidence going into this season. While the defense added a bunch of new players via free agency and the NFL Draft in the last two years, there is a new scheme under a new defensive coordinator in Jim Leonhard.
Part of the shift in defensive schemes meant that some players were let go, while others were brought in to better fit the vision of the unit. One fan-favorite that was traded away from the Bills was cornerback Taron Johnson, who had been the team’s starting nickel corner for awhile, and had been one of the better corners in the game.
Buffalo traded Johnson to the Las Vegas Raiders, so he will actually get to see his old team in Week 6 when the Bills travel to Vegas. Not only will he get to see his old teammates, he will also get the chance to see the guy who has ultimately replaced him in Dee Alford.
Dee Alford set to fill big shoes left by Taron Johnson
Now don’t get me wrong, Taron Johnson was never a true superstar but he was an extremely good football player who did a lot for the Bills defense over the years. Was he perfect? No, but he surely was one of the best defenders for a long time.
However, he just simply wasn’t a good fit for what Leonhard wants to implement in this new defense, but that’s where Alford comes into play.
The Bills signed Alford to a three-year deal from the Atlanta Falcons. Infact, Alford had one of his better games of the season last year against the Bills in Week 6. He had 6 total tackles, a sack, and he also picked off Josh Allen. Now he will look to show his talent as a member of the Bills, and he got some praise from Ben Solak of ESPN.
Dee Alford could be top free agent signing Bills made that no one is talking about
Solak was in attendance at St. John Fisher University, and he recently wrote about how there were people on the Bills that “highlighted” Alford.
"One defensive player was highlighted for me by multiple people in the building: Dee Alford, the nickel corner signed to replace Taron Johnson. Alford worked his way up through the CFL and onto the Falcons roster in 2022, where he won the slot job before Billy Bowman Jr. was drafted to replace him in 2025. The Bills didn't make many defensive additions in the transition from McDermott to Leohnard on defense, but Alford's three-year deal was a priority for a defense that needs sticky man coverage ability in the slot." said Solak.
The Bills brought in a lot of new defensive pieces, which include OLB Bradley Chubb who should help bring stability to the pass rush. However, the addition of Alford gives the Bills a corner that can stay with his guy in the slot, seeing as how Johnson was more of a zone coverage corner.
Seeing as how Leonhard was a secondary defender in his playing days, anyone that is a corner or safety on the Bills should heavily benefit from Leonhard’s presence. Alford could easily make himself an impactful player that no one focused on as much considering all the changes that were made within the Bills’ roster.
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