Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Bills DE Greg Rousseau brings unique talent to defensive unit

By Andrew Marshall | Last updated 11/4/22

Defensive end Greg Rousseau, one of the best players on the Bills, has one of the NFL's more interesting backstories.

The 6-foot-7 Rousseau weighed under 200 pounds and played safety and wide receiver in high school before transitioning to defensive end. At the University of Miami, he had 15.5 sacks as a redshirt freshman. Every so often, he showcases his unique skillset.

It’s a nightmare for the Chiefs offense tonight. Greg Rousseau gets the big man INT! #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/ePhe9QJRsX
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) October 11, 2021

Some had concerns about Rousseau's pro prospects after he opted out of the 2020 COVID-impacted college season and posted average testing numbers at his Pro Day. His vertical jump and three-cone testing were each below the 20th percentile at his position.

Rousseau is a giant athlete who is still developing and learning his new position.

Bills GM Brandon Beane mentioned after the 2021 NFL Draft that Rousseau played in the mid-240-pound range during his final season at Miami and was still growing into his body. He doesn't play any snaps at nose tackle, as he did in some of Miami's defensive fronts. Rousseau now plays opposite Von Miller, who has regularly allowed the 22-year-old pass rusher to pick his brain.

Same coverage as Taron Johnson's INT vs Chiefs, but a four-man rush. Oliver with the arm lift to get Rodgers off the spot, then the finish by Rousseau. pic.twitter.com/DiCOiCvnOQ
— Erik Turner (@ErikJTurner) November 1, 2022

Buffalo has a good problem. Emerging, young defensive players are up for extensions, including Ed Oliver and Tremaine Edmunds. Rousseau, who has five sacks this season in seven games, won't become an unrestricted free agent until 2026, but the Bills should be setting aside money for him.

Buffalo hit on Rousseau because it saw the big picture. He shouldn't be in any other uniform besides blue, white, and red anytime soon.

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