The Bills defensive line were a major factor in keeping the Baltimore Ravens from scoring during the Buffalo Bills divisional game against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 19, 2025. Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Did Buffalo Bills do enough to address their biggest weakness from 2024?

Originally posted on Buffalo Bills on SI
By Colin Richey | Last updated May 30, 2025 4:45 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills have made a variety of roster moves this offseason to improve the roster, both through free agency and the draft.

According to Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman in PFF's roster rankings and analysis, Buffalo's 2025 X-factor and rookie to watch can both improve the team's biggest weakness last season: the defense.

In PFF's roster rankings, Buffalo placed fifth, behind the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Kansas City Chiefs.

It should be no surprise that the team's biggest strength in 2024 was MVP Josh Allen, after "placing second among quarterbacks with 37 big-time throws and leading the position with a 93.6 PFF rushing grade."

Conversely, Buffalo's biggest weakness in 2024 was "a defense that turned opposing quarterbacks into Josh Allen". Chadwick and Wasserman joke, "while that header might be a bit hyperbolic, it's not that far off. The Bills had the league's fifth-lowest-graded defense last year (59.7) and earned the second-worst PFF coverage grade (37.7). Buffalo's abysmal 29.7 PFF coverage grade against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game was arguably the biggest reason why the team didn't make the Super Bowl."

It appears Brandon Beane agrees with PFF's analysis of the roster, taking big swings at both edge rusher and cornerback to help improve the defense.

Buffalo's most notable free agent addition was pass rusher Joey Bosa, who was named the "X-factor" for the team in 2025. "When he was at his best, Bosa was a top-10 edge defender in the league. Buffalo is hoping he can recapture that form after signing him this offseason."

PFF's "rookie to watch" for the Bills was first round pick Maxwell Hairston. "He has outstanding speed for the position...The Bills need him to perform and help fix a rough secondary from last year," they write.

Another notable tidbit from the roster analysis was Chadwick and Wasserman's projected starting lineup for the Bills in 2025.

At the tight end spot, Dawson Knox was listed instead of Dalton Kincaid. The former first round pick had a historically successful rookie season by tight end standards, hauling in 73 receptions for 673 yards and two touchdowns. In 2024, his receptions dropped to 44, and yards dropped to 448, while still catching two touchdowns. Knox has been a reliable blocker and red zone threat during his six years in Buffalo. He finished 2024 with 22 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown.

The starting lineup projection also includes Hairston, Bosa, and fellow free agent additions Joshua Palmer and Michael Hoecht, although the latter is suspended for the first six games of the season.