The Buffalo Bills are entering a season that many are calling a transition year, with many even saying the Bills will miss out on the playoffs for the first time since 2018. 

There has been a lot of turnover for Buffalo over the last several months. They have a brand new group of receivers, save for Khalil Shakir, and their safety room features a lot of new faces, as well. 

In spite of that, their defense still has plenty of talent, and a few budding stars that need to step up in 2024 in order for the Bills to have a shot at a deep run in January.

DE A.J. Epenesa

Epenesa re-signed with the Bills when many thought he would sign elsewhere. He had a massive performance in the regular season contests against the Kansas City Chiefs, deflecting a pass and intercepting one to kill a Chiefs drive. He had 6.5 sacks in 15 regular season games, and the Bills need to see that number grow in 2024. If they want to get over that playoff hump and get to the Super Bowl, they have to be able to pressure the quarterback.

DE Greg Rousseau

Similar to Epenesa, the Bills need Rousseau to become a legitimate No. 1 pass rusher that can get consistent pressure on the quarterback and see that sack total rise a substantial amount. If both of them take a step forward in 2024, it goes without say how big that would be for the defense.

CB Christian Benford

The Bills' cornerback tandem of Benford and Rasul Douglas played very well in the second half of the 2023 season. Benford has shown a ton since being drafted in the sixth round in 2022, and will have more on his plate this season with Tre'Davious White gone. Should Benford and Douglas each have fantastic seasons, Buffalo's defense will be one of the better units in the NFL.

Buffalo Bills CB Rasul Douglas shows love to teammate Christian Benford

The Bills cornerback tandem has a relationship that goes beyond the field