Greg Rousseau, drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2021, appears to have been a foundational piece for their defensive line.
Perhaps the team’s most reliable edge player this past season was the physically gifted defensive end. The fifth-year option on the rookie contract of the former first-round choice has already been activated by the Bills heading into Year 4.
A Pro Football Focus analyst who recommended one personnel change that every AFC club should make before training camp believes that the next step is probably a long-term contract that keeps Rousseau in Buffalo well past the 2025 season.
The 6-foot-6 pass rusher, who can also play inside and has the necessary stop ability to stop the run, should be locked up, according to PFF’s Thomas Valentine. Since joining Buffalo as a rookie in 2021, Rousseau has started 46 games, all of them during the regular season.
Before training camp, the AFC teams should make the following one move, according to PFF:
“Despite having only 17 sacks in three seasons with the Bills, Rousseau hasn’t exactly dazzled with raw numbers since joining the NFL. However, his all-around 2023 performance should have given the front office confidence in his future.” With 55 pressures, Rousseau set a career high and received an outstanding 85.6 PFF overall rating in 2023.
Rousseau has been a headache for opposition passers with his enormous wingspan and strong push. 41 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, an interception, and 42 quarterback hits in his career round out his stats. 18 QB hits and 9 tackles for loss on run plays were recorded by him in 2023.
With a large majority of their draft picks, the Bills have demonstrated their willingness to lock up indigenous talent like Rousseau, which is excellent business. Defense lineman Ed Oliver and linebacker Matt Milano are prime examples.
