The Buffalo Bills entered the offseason with the understanding that the defense would look significantly different in 2024. Losing its most productive pass rusher, three starting defensive backs, and potentially more contributors along the defensive line made Buffalo’s future uncertain as it reshaped its roster.
Some damage control was done during the legal tampering period, as general manager Brandon Beane ensured defensive tackle DaQuan Jones and defensive end A.J. Epenesa returned before they truly hit the market.
Others, though, will have the opportunity to seek revenge on a semiannual basis.
Former Bills defensive back Siran Neal signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, per Marcel Louis-Jacques. He’ll join former long-time Buffalo safety Jordan Poyer in the secondary.
However, Neal’s biggest impact won’t be creating turnovers or shutting down receivers – it will be on special teams. His most notable performance came in 2021 when he logged 10 tackles on kickoffs and punts, but he has long been viewed as a special teams ace.
Neal’s special teams prowess has carved out a respectable career, essentially acting as a depth defensive back. He struggled in coverage this past season, allowing a 96.9 passer rating on eight targets. Since debuting in 2018, though, he’s proven to be a useful, versatile depth piece who can play in the slot and moonlight as a box safety on occasion.
He likely won’t play as big of a role in Miami’s potential success as Poyer, who’ll add veteran pedigree to a defense losing significant talent to free agency, but this is not ideal for Buffalo.
Neal’s impact on special teams was real, and now it’s being lost to a division rival that took the AFC race to the wire.
The New York Jets will get better automatically with their upgrade at quarterback, the New England Patriots are on the verge of finding a quarterback, and the Dolphins find themselves in a similar position to the Bills.
Having Josh Allen under center makes Buffalo the favorite, but Miami remains dangerous, even as it navigates the murky waters of cap constraints.
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