Reflecting on the Buffalo Bills teams of the last 25 seasons continues with the second article of the series, still focusing on defense. Having already made my choices for the front seven, with first-, second-, and third-team selections made, it’s time to turn to the play makers in the defensive backfield.
Below, I have players’ prime valued over longevity, as if we needed to pick a team to beat an opposing franchise for a quarter-century Super Bowl. So let’s go, here are my choices:
Secondary
Starters
CB: Tre’Davious White (2017-2023, 2025)
Las Vegas Raiders v Buffalo Bills Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
White’s 2019 All-Pro season (6 interceptions, 17 passes defended, 58 tackles) was a shutdown masterpiece, covering elite receivers like DeAndre Hopkins with precise technique and ball skills. His two-interception game against the Jets, including a pick on Sam Darnold’s first drive, swung momentum and showcased his clutch play making.
White’s ability to bait quarterbacks made him a turnover magnet. His prime lockdown coverage makes him the CB1 here, capable of neutralizing his side of the field and offering good run support.
CB: Nate Clements (2001-2006)
Denver Broncos vs Buffalo Bills - December 17, 2005 Photo by Mark Konezny/Getty Images
Clements’ 2004 season (6 interceptions, 78 tackles, 14 passes defended) was a play-making peak, with physicality and ball-hawking instincts. He had the ability to dominate top receivers and flip games when in coverage, but also was a physical tackler, adding another dimension to his game.
His prime turnover-forcing ability pairs perfectly with White’s shutdown skills for an awesome combo outside.
Nickel: Taron Johnson (2018-present)
New York Jets v Buffalo Bills Kara Durrette/Getty Images
Johnson is the reason I could choose to line up in a base nickel for this exercise — before him, there’s no way I’d trust a nickel corner to essentially be the weakside linebacker on run downs. That’s how good and unique Taron has become, as we could see in his 2020 season (94 tackles, 1 interception, 7 passes defended), where he dominated the slot with blitzing prowess and run support.
He’s grown as a coverage CB as well, and there’s no other player I could think of for this role.
S: Jairus Byrd (2009-2013)
New York Jets v Buffalo Bills Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images
I know I’ll take some heat here but nobody can convince me there was a better Bills’ safety in the last 25 years than Jairus Byrd in his prime. During the 2009 NFL season (9 interceptions, 45 tackles) Byrd led the NFL with unreal ball-stealing range, as seen in his two-interception game against Miami — where he shut down deep passing threats.
His ability to bait quarterbacks into mistakes made him a turnover magician, but he also showed during his Bills career how reliable of a tackler he could be. Byrd’s premiere talent is tailor-made for forcing critical errors, essential for every big game.
S: Jordan Poyer (2017-2023)
Buffalo Bills v Los Angeles Chargers Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images
Poyer’s 2021 All-Pro season (93 tackles, 5 interceptions, 3 sacks) showcased his do-everything ability, from deep coverage to bone-rattling hits. His 2020 season was just as good, and prime Po could do it all, all over the field.
It’s difficult to talk about Poyer without mentioning his partner in crime, Micah Hyde, here, but more about that later.
Backups
Jets v Bills Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images
CB: Antoine Winfield (1999-2003)
Winfield’s 2003 season (109 tackles, 1 interception, 1 sack) showcased his versatility and toughness. I had a hard time keeping him off the first team, and at the end of the day it’s a toss-up between Winfield and the two choices.
CB: Stephon Gilmore (2012-2016)
Gilmore was actually frustrating as a Bill, in my opinion. He never looked happy, and it showed on the field, where he didn’t want anything to do with tackling and consistently re-directed blame when beaten.
However, in 2016 (5 interceptions, 12 passes defended) things started to change, and we could see more of the traits that ended up making him one of the best CBs in the game. At his best, Gilmore offered lockdown coverage, perfect for matchups against top wideouts.
Nickel: Terrence McGee (2003-2012)
Love me some Terrence McGee. His 2004 season (92 tackles, 3 interceptions) provided speed and tackling, as he could play inside and out. He was a better CB overall than Taron Johnson, in my opinion, but not a better pure nickel.
S: Micah Hyde (2017-2023)
Micah Hyde was awesome and, alongside Jordan Poyer, he deserved to be on the first team. I just can’t tell you he was the superior player when compared to prime Byrd. His 2017 and 2021 seasons were special, and he always brought deep safety instincts, reliability, and perfect chemistry with Poyer, especially for coverage purposes.
S: Lawyer Milloy (2003-2005)
His best years weren’t with the Bills, but his arrival ignited one of the biggest wins of the drought era, in the 2003 season (104 tackles, 3 sacks). He proceeded to play three good years in Buffalo, delivering hard-hitting tackles and providing leadership in the secondary. Milloy was an deal player for run-heavy situations.
Third Team
Buffalo Bills v Miami Dolphins Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images
CB: Christian Benford (2022-2025): Benford’s coming off a 2024 season (64 tackles, 2 interceptions) where he established himself as one of the top up-and-coming corners in the game. He definitely can climb this list going forward.
CB: Leodis McKelvin (2008-2015): The former first-round pick had a tough time in the beginning, but ultimately became a very good starting CB in 2013 (72 tackles, 1 interception, 19 passes defended, and 4 fumble recoveries). He had the speed to run with anybody in the league and developed a good coverage game later in his career.
Nickel: Corey Graham (2014-2016): In the 2015 season (127 tackles, 2 interceptions), he played at safety, but offered versatility as a former corner. I’d trust him here as an interchangeable piece with Aaron Williams.
S: Aaron Williams (2011-2016): AW’s best season was in 2013 (82 tackles, 4 interceptions), when he provided physicality from his strong safety spot. A former cornerback, he offers the versatility needed in this Bills’ backfield.
S: George Wilson (2005-2012): The former wide-receiver-turned-safety had his moments in Buffalo, where he was a fan favorite. His four picks in 2009 and then in 2011 again, show the type of playmaker he became, earning the last safety spot on our team.
All-Bills’ Quarter Century Defense
Edge Rushers
Starters: Mario Williams, Aaron Schobel
Second-team: Jerry Hughes, Von Miller
Third-team: Greg Rousseau, Chris Kelsay
Defensive Tackles
Starters: Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus
Second-team: Sam Adams, Pat Williams
Third-team: Ed Oliver, Marcus Stroud
WILL Linebackers
Starter: Takeo Spike
Second-team: Matt Milano
Third-team: Sam Cowart
MIKE Linebackers
Starter: London Fletcher
Second-team: Terrel Bernard
Third-team: Paul Posluszny
SAM Linebackers
Starter: Lorenzo Alexander
Second-team: Angelo Crowell
Third-team: Nigel Bradham
Cornerbacks
Starters: Tre’Davious White, Nate Clements
Second-team: Antoine Winfield, Stephon Gilmore
Third-team: Christian Benford, Leodis McKelvin
Nickel Cornerbacks
Starter: Taron Johnson
Second-team: Terrence McGee
Third-team: Corey Graham
Free Safeties
Starter: Jairus Byrd
Second-team: Micah Hyde
Third-team: George Wilson
Strong Safeties
Starter: Jordan Poyer
Second-team: Lawyer Milloy
Third-team: Aaron Williams
Final Thoughts
About the defensive backfield, there’s a lot of talent to select from. Winfield could easily be part of the first team, and the same can be said about Micah Hyde. The second team offers a lot of talent overall, and I’d be comfortable with them in place of the starters, overall. The third team isn’t that good, though, not at the same level as the first two teams.
As for the defense as a unit, I’d feel very confident going against any offense in the league in the last 25 years with this group — the starters are dominant and versatile, and the backups could come in and offer variety and even an upgrade in some specific situations. Also, in case of an injury, the third team has great names to fill in.
Well, that’s my quarter-century defense, fellow Rumblers. I can’t wait to read your comments and interact, I’m pretty sure you’ll bring good arguments about different choices in different areas of this defense. Let me know if I forgot somebody, and let’s discuss! I’ll be back next week with the offensive side of the ball, Go Bills!
Catch up on all this and more with the latest edition of Leading the Charge