Naming the best Buffalo Bills front-7 defenders from the last 25 years

New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills — Set Number: X82905 TK1 R3 F81

If the Bills had to win a game today assembling an all-star team of defenders from the last 25 years, who makes the roster?

Over the course of the last 25 years, the Buffalo Bills and their fans have ridden a roller coaster of football emotions, from a 17-year playoff drought and no true answers at quarterback, to a well-run organization that’s now won five consecutive AFC East division titles as a perennial playoff participant and Super Bowl contender.

It’s true that during the last two-and-a-half decades the defense hasn’t always been a powerhouse. That said, some very talented defenders have come through the doors at One Bills Drive, helping keep Buffalo afloat during some very lean seasons early in the 21st century.

As the first installment in this series — one where I’ll look back at the rosters during the last 24 years of Bills football — my focus is on constructing what would be Buffalo’s ultimate defense. Longevity won’t be valued more than peak performance in this exercise. I’ve tried to define the best players as the ones who were more dominant in their primes.

Good players who were good for a longer period won’t beat out the most-talented ones on their best days here. I’ll pick this team as if the Bills had to win a single, quarter-century Super Bowl against another franchise’s roster, and I’ll have first-, second-, and third-team choices made.

Without further ado, here is my Bills’ quarter-century front 7 selections. Do you agree with my choices for the definitive Bills front 7 of the 2000s?

Defensive Line

Starters

DE: Aaron Schobel (2001-2009)

Schobel’s 2006 season (14 sacks, 53 tackles, 3 forced fumbles) was a pass-rushing masterpiece, shredding offensive lines with a blistering first step and relentless motor. During his career, he consistently showed an ability to collapse pockets and chase down runners to force critical errors.

Schobel’s prime was a perfect blend of speed, power, and instinct. His ability to disrupt elite quarterbacks ensures he’s one of the two starting edge rushers of this defensive front, capable of consistently altering the opponent’s rhythm when healthy during his career.

DT: Kyle Williams (2006-2018)

Kyle Williams’ 2013 season (10.5 sacks, 42 tackles, 14 quarterback hits) showcased his interior disruption, blowing through double-teams with explosive quickness and low-leverage power. Always dominant in clogging run lanes and collapsing pockets, often the first out of his stance and living on opponents’ backfields, Williams never lacked game-wrecking ability, no matter what players lined up alongside him.

At his peak, he was a one-man force, indispensable for controlling the line of scrimmage against both power runs and quick-passing attacks in a must-win scenario. And how about his leadership, on and off the field? The ultimate Buffalo Bill, Williams is a no-brainer choice.

DT: Marcell Dareus (2011-2017)

Marcell Dareus’ 2014 season (10 sacks, 49 tackles, 12 quarterback hits) was a clinic in interior havoc, overpowering guards with a rare blend of 330-pound strength and agility. In his first four years with the team, he consistently dominated the interior, drawing double-teams to free edge rushers like Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes. “Mr. Big Stuff” was an asset in short-yardage situations with his run-stuffing prowess.

Despite the frustrating end of his Bills career, one filled with off-field issues, there hasn’t been a more dominant DT in Buffalo during the last 25 years. In his prime, Dareus’ ability to disrupt both pass and run made him an anchor for this line, ensuring the versatility that only elite DTs can offer.

DE: Mario Williams (2012-2015)

Mario Williams’ best year as a Bill happened in 2014 (14.5 sacks, 42 tackles, 3 batted passes), where he unleashed his 6’6”, 300-pound frame to terrorize tackles all season long. His freakish athleticism, combining speed and power, was way too much for the opposition more often than not. His length also helped disrupting passing lanes and batting passes down.

Despite the feeling that he lacked consistency, few players in the history of the game showcased the ability to completely take over for stretches and terrorize opposing quarterbacks. At his peak, Super Mario was a game-wrecker, capable of dismantling even the most sophisticated game plans, making him the perfect edge for this Bills team.

Backups

DE: Jerry Hughes (2013-2021)

Jerry Hughes’ 2014 season (10 sacks, 53 tackles) showcased his lightning-fast first step and relentless pursuit, overwhelming tackles. His ability to bend the edge makes him a dynamic pass-rusher, ideal for clear passing downs. Don’t make the mistake of overlooking his run-stopping abilities, though. Despite the lack of ideal size for those purposes, at his best, Hughes could set the edge and hold his own against the run as well.

DT: Sam Adams (2003-2005)

Big Sam Adams was at his best as a Bill in 2004 (5 sacks, 41 tackles) using his 6’4”, 350-pound frame to anchor the run defense on his way to a Pro Bowl selection. For three seasons, his size and stout presence made it almost impossible for the opposition to run up the middle against Buffalo’s defense. That fumble recovery touchdown against Tom Brady and the Patriots won’t ever be forgotten.

DT: Pat Williams (1997-2004)

Before becoming a superstar in Minnesota, Big Pat Williams was very good for Buffalo, as shown by his 2002 season (92 tackles, 0.5 sacks). An immovable object in the middle of the defense, he clogged interior lanes, freeing linebackers with his run-stuffing prowess. If only the Bills had Williams today — Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano would reap the benefits.

DE: Von Miller (2022-2025)

Despite the sad post-injury portion of his time in Buffalo, culminating in his release this offseason, Miller’s start as a Bill was very promising. In the 2022 season (8 sacks, 21 tackles in 11 games pre-injury), he was exactly what the team needed with his elite pass-rushing skills on full display. His very short prime with the Bills showcased his veteran savvy and clutch skills.

Third Team

DE: Chris Kelsay (2003-2012): The ultimate pro, “The King of the almost sack” — Kelsay had some good seasons with Buffalo, and always brought hustle and run-stopping versatility, plus a relentless motor. He will always have my respect.
DT: Ed Oliver (2019-2025): During the 2023 season (9.5 sacks, 51 tackles) Ed showed what he can do with his explosive interior burst, ideal for pass-rushing situations. Oliver’s lack of size hurts him in his case against my top choices.
DT: Marcus Stroud (2008-2010): Despite being a shadow of his dominant Jaguars self in Buffalo, Marcus Stroud had three solid years as a Bill, providing run-stuffing strength and some ability to push the pocket against the pass. Stroud’s solid is better than most DTs good years.
DE: Greg Rousseau (2021-2025): Groot is coming off his best season as a pro (8 sacks, 53 tackles). He offers amazing run-stopping ability for an edge and can be disruptive as a pass rusher as well. Consistency and adding some moves to his repertoire are key to taking the next step and climbing this list.

Every-Down Linebackers (Wills and Mikes)

Starters

LB: Takeo Spikes (2003-2006)

A horrific injury cut it short, but how awesome was TKO as a Bill? Oh boy, I loved every second of Spikes’ 2004 season (97 tackles, 5 interceptions, 3 sacks). He was a three-down masterpiece, blending bone-crushing hits and uncanny coverage instincts. His ability to erase tight ends and running backs in the passing game, always playing full gas and no breaks, was special.

At his peak, Takeo Spikes was a defensive quarterback, bringing leadership and versatility to shut down multifaceted offenses, making him indispensable to this team, even though there’s no shortage of good linebacker options for the Bills from the last 25 years.

LB: London Fletcher (2002-2006)

Ironman. Tackling machine. Leader. London Fletcher was a heat-seeking missile ready to identify his target, attack, and destroy it. His 2005 season (158 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries) was a tackling clinic, with sideline-to-sideline range and elite coverage. His ability to disrupt offenses, stuffing runs and covering backs in the flat was ahead of his time.

Fletcher’s play making, sideline-to-sideline ability, and dependability made him the leader of the Bills’ defense from 2002 to 2006. He’s the ideal complement to Spikes here, as he was back in the day, ensuring a dynamic linebacker duo for this team.

Backups

LB: Matt Milano (2017-2025)

Matt Milano’s 2022 All-Pro season (99 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 interceptions) showed how he can excel in coverage and blitzing. A versatile player who can impact the game in several different ways, Milano has been a defensive stalwart for the Bills over the years.

LB: Terrel Bernard (2022-2025)

Terrel Bernard’s 2023 season (143 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 3 interceptions) was awesome. Some people believe he fell down to Earth a bit in 2024 — I don’t buy it. He’s asked to do a lot as the quarterback of the Bills’ defense, and his impact goes beyond the stat sheet. He’s following in Milano’s footsteps with his situational versatility, but his leadership adds an extra layer, and I can see him being the better linebacker overall when it’s all said and done.

Third Team

LB: Sam Cowart (1998-2001): His best season as a Bill was in 2000 (130 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions), earning Pro Bowl and secon-team All-Pro honors. A physical MIKE linebacker who could do it all, Sam Cowart was a true difference maker in the middle of the Bills’ defense.
LB: Paul Posluszny (2007-2010): Poz was a true leader and could do it all: run, tackle, and cover the middle of the field (3 INTs in 2009). I always felt good about the MLB spot when Posluszny was the starter.

Strongside Linebacker (12th man)

This defense will be built towards the more modern style of the game, counting on their Nickel 4-2-5 as the base formation. However, on situational occasions, we’ll have to take the nickel CB off the field and bulk up the front seven with an extra linebacker to complement the four-man front. Here are my top choices for this role.

Starter

LB: Lorenzo Alexander (2016-2019)

Offering leadership, dependability, but especially versatility and special teams prowess, Zo is essential as the top choice here. Alexander’s 2016 season (12.5 sacks) was magical, but his ability to line up almost anywhere on defense as an x-factor is what sets him apart.

Backup

LB: Angelo Crowell (2003-2007): Crowell played the strongside role when it was a bigger part of defensive plans, and was very good at it. His best seasons were in 2005, replacing the injured Takeo Spikes as an every-down ‘backer, and then again in 2007, his last season as a pro, amassing over 120 tackles and recording at least one interception on both seasons.

Third Team

LB: Nigel Bradham (2012-2015): Bradham’s best season as a Bill was in 2014 (104 tackles, 2.5 sacks). A physical specimen, Bradham could run from sideline to sideline and hit hard. He wasn’t a true strongside linebacker, playing consistently as the team’s WILL instead, but with his physicality and production, I believe he could line up in this position if necessary.

Final Thoughts

Cleveland Browns v Buffalo Bills 9-23-2012

I really believe this front seven is as good as any other team in the entire league, and I’d confidently go to battle against any franchise’s quarter-century team with this group. A lot of players on the second team could replace the starters without the roster missing a beat, and even upgrade some aspects of the group due to their unique on-field characteristics. The third team also has quality and unique skill sets, offering great depth.

That’s it for my quarter-century front seven, 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 group.

Let me know if I forgot somebody, and let’s discuss! (“The Legend of Kiko” was under consideration, but I just couldn’t fit him in). Of course, 2025 is the final year during the first quarter of the 21st century, and Buffalo has yet to play a meaningful down this season. That means in time, this list could change. I’ll be back soon with the defensive backfield and coordinators, Go Bills!

Catch up on all this and more with the latest edition of Leading the Charge