The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as defensive analysis from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview.
With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Buffalo Bills and preview how it might perform this season.
Buffalo Bills 2026 Defense Preview: A Unit-by-Unit Breakdown
Buffalo’s coaching change will be felt the most on the defensive side of the ball, with Jim Leonhard taking over what had been Sean McDermott’s defense. That will likely mean a shift to a 3-4 base, though the new coordinator is certain to live the “multiple” credo that dominates NFL defenses in 2026.
The Bills struggled across the board against running backs in 2025, allowing 5.0 yards per carry to the position (30th). They gave up an explosive run on 12.5% of the RB carries they faced (30th). With DaQuan Jones gone, Ed Oliver should lead the defensive line, but he appeared in just three games last year before returning for the playoffs. Both 2025 draft picks, T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker, got some experience last year.
Buffalo ranked 14th in pressure rate (37.3%) last season, finishing with 36 sacks (20th). This edge group will look different in 2026 with Joey Bosa and A.J. Epenesa leaving in free agency. Buffalo also made a big addition, signing Bradley Chubb to a three-year, $43.5 million contract. He will play opposite Greg Rousseau, who had another good season in 2025, logging 7 sacks with a 15.4% pressure rate (14th). Buffalo added T.J. Parker as young depth early in the draft.
The Bills are in a rough spot at linebacker. Terrel Bernard can hold down one of the starting spots, but he has not been great while missing time over the last two seasons. Dorian Williams has played the run well, but he has allowed a 103.6 quarterback rating in coverage thus far in his career. It would not be a surprise if the Bills added someone at linebacker before Week 1.
The Bills fared better against the pass than run, allowing 6.2 yards per pass attempt (4th) and finishing seventh in EPA allowed per pass attempt. Despite that success, Christian Benford is the only primary snap-taker returning from last year’s cornerback group. A first-round pick last year, Maxwell Hairston had a stop-and-start rookie season thanks to injuries, playing just 348 snaps. Dee Alford was added in free agency to handle the slot snaps, and Davison Igbinosun was added in the second round.
Cole Bishop took a step forward in his second season, providing a steady presence at safety, but the Bills had a tough time finding someone to play opposite him. They tried to fix that in free agency by signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone. Buffalo also brought back Damar Hamlin, who suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in October.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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