4 Defenders Who Need to Shine in Week 1 for Buffalo Bills

Bills fans won’t see All-Pro Matt Milano for another season, if not all, in 2024. He tore his biceps during training camp and will likely be sidelined for the entire season. That opens the door for second-year linebacker Dorian Williams.

The Bills were in a similar situation last year when Terrel Bernard had to step up even more after Milano went down. Could this be the second year we see a young linebacker flourish as an injury replacement? Only time will tell. Williams will have to show the coaching staff that he can eventually become a full-time starter in the future, and there’s no better time than now.

The Bills could be on their way to signing Greg Rousseau to a massive contract extension in the next year or so. Buffalo picked up Rousseau’s fifth-year option last offseason, keeping him in Buffalo for at least the next two seasons. Brandon Beane will have to keep a close eye on Rousseau’s production this year, because if he establishes himself as a top pass rusher, his price will go up.

Contract details aside, Rousseau needs to show he can become the franchise pass rusher the Bills have been missing for years. Part of taking Kyler Murray out of his game is not allowing him to make plays with his legs. Rousseau will need to make sure he controls the edge to prevent Murray from turning a broken play into a big play.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to see Von Miller on this list. The Bills haven’t gotten their money’s worth with Miller since he tore his ACL on Thanksgiving in 2022. With no offseason to rehab his torn ACL, Miller will need to step up and show the Bills Mafia that he can be the same productive player he was brought to Buffalo to be.

Like Rousseau, Miller will need to provide a pass rush to keep Murray from getting out of the pocket.