Three field goals were enough for the Buffalo Bills in their second preseason game. Without Josh Allen at quarterback, Mitch Trubisky and Ben DiNucci struggled to sustain drives. The defense, however, was lights out and limited the Steelers’ offense led by Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to just three points.
Pro Football Focus released their grades from the Bills’ second preseason matchup of 2024. Who stood out using the site’s metrics? Here’s a look at Buffalo’s best and worst performers against the Steelers.
Highest offensive grade: Ray Davis
The rookie running back averaged over seven yards per carry in Buffalo’s win. He finished with an overall grade of 90.6. His run grade was 87.8, pass blocking was 72.4 and his pass grade was 57.6.
Highest defensive grade: Greg Rousseau
It’s no surprise that Greg Rousseau led the way for Buffalo’s defense. The edge rusher recorded 2.5 sacks on seven pass-rush snaps and 11 snaps overall. His dominant performance earned him an overall grade of 91.0. He also recorded a pass-rush grade of 90.3, a run-defense grade of 66.2 and a tackling grade of 74.2.
Highest-graded offensive lineman: Ryan Van Demark
Ryan Van Demark’s development over the past two years speaks to the talent’s talent and the coaching of Aaron Kromer. Against the Steelers, Van Demark played 34 total snaps (23 run block, 11 pass block). Van Demark’s overall grade in the win was 80.1. His highest grade came in run blocking (86.1). PFF gave Van Demark a 52.7 in pass-blocking.
Van Demark is good enough to start for many teams across the league.
Highest-graded defensive lineman (after Rousseau): Ed Oliver
Oliver finished with an overall grade of 85.7 against the Steelers. The defensive tackle was dominant against the Steelers offensive line in his 11 snaps. He scored high marks in run defense (75.0), tackling (69.4) and pass-rush (71.1).
If Rousseau and Oliver carry their play over the regular season, Buffalo’s defensive line could be among the most dominant units in the league.
Highest-graded defensive back: Taron Johnson
The NFL’s best nickel cornerback scored an 88.0 overall grade. Johnson has been a sure tackler for most of his career so his 81.3 tackle grade comes as no surprise. Johnson also recorded an 89.2 coverage grade and 60.0 run defense grade.
Highest-graded linebacker: Deion Jones
I thought that Joe Andreessen would claim this spot, but Jones just edged him out. The veteran recorded a 73.9 overall grade with a 71.0 in run defense, 68.9 in coverage, 58.4 in tackling and 56.4 pass-rush grade.
Lowest offensive grade (10 snaps or more): Mitch Trubisky
OL Mike Edwards had the lowest overall grade (43.5) but he played just five snaps in the win. Trubisky was on the field for 26 plays in Buffalo’s victory and his PFF grade reflected his poor play. Trubisky recorded a 48.6 overall grade with a 50.6 pass grade.
Trubisky completed 9-of-13 passes for 86 yards--many dumpdowns--with one interception. He was also sacked twice and rushed for just one yard on one run.
Lowest defensive grade (10 snaps or more): Dee Delaney
Defensive back Kyron Brown (29.5) had the lowest defensive grade but recorded just seven total snaps. Following Brown was safety Dee Delaney. The safety recorded a 37.1 overall grade with a 42.6 in coverage and a 60.0 in run defense. He did earn a high grade in tackling (72.6).
What stood out: Gable Steveson’s snap count
No analytics in this one. The defensive tackle played just one snap in Buffalo’s win over the Steelers. Steveson is a project as he has no football experience before joining the Bills. Keeping him off the field for most of the game likely had to do with the team trying to evaluate other bottom-of-the-roster defensive tackles. Buffalo may add Steveson to their practice squad if they saw enough development this summer.
Top-five offensive grades:
- RB Ray Davis (90.6)
- TE Dawson Knox (84.7)
- WR KJ Hamler (81.7)
- OT Ryan Van Demark (80.1)
- C Connor McGovern (76.3)
Top-five defensive grades:
- DE Greg Rousseau (91.0)
- CB Taron Johnson (88.0)
- DT Ed Oliver (85.7)
- CB Christian Benford (81.6)
- CB Daequan Hardy (74.9)
Bottom-five offensive grades:
- OL Mike Edwards (43.5)
- QB Mitch Trubisky (48.6)
- QB Ben DiNucci (48.7)
- OT Spencer Brown (49.0)
- WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (54.1)
Bottom-five defensive grades:
- DB Kyron Brown (29.5)
- S Dee Delaney (37.1)
- DT DeWayne Carter (39.1)
- DE Javon Solomon (41.5)
- DT DaQuan Jones (50.1)
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