The Buffalo Bills could benefit should a recent prediction from an NFL analyst come to pass.
The 33rd Team’s Marcus Mosher named his “breakout candidate” for the Bills in 2024, and it was none other than DE Greg Rousseau.
Mosher compiled a list of NFL Defensive Players Who Could Have Breakout 2024 Seasons and views Rousseau as a player with that potential.
It would be a logical progression for the 24-year-old.
The early returns during his rookie deal have been good, as the edge rusher quickly became a regular part of the Bills defensive pass rush group and developed into a consistent starter and threat to opposing quarterbacks.
While his abilities make him a strong breakout candidate already, some additional factors could help boost chances of his taking the next step at the pro level this season.
The Bills picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal this Spring, likely setting the stage for an extension. So Rousseau will be motivated to demonstrate his worthiness of higher earnings on his next deal.
While he is already a towering force on his own, fellow defensive end A.J. Epenesa and defensive tackle Ed Oliver both took the next step themselves, becoming key disrupters to opposing offenses.
The 2024 NFL Draft saw the addition of another disruptor in defensive tackle DeWayne Carter, a potential if not likely day-one starter on the defensive line, alongside them.
Those players, plus a healthy Von Miller, could mean trouble for opponents.
For more on Rousseau, here is Mosher’s breakdown below:
“Rousseau was a much better player in 2023 as he created more pressures (68) and improved significantly as a run defender,” Mosher writes. “During the 2022 season, Rousseau was just an average run defender who teams would run toward when possible. But in 2023, he became an above-average run player, finishing the season with 19 stops. His improvement as a run defender has been a steady one despite it being a weakness coming out of college. Now, he is an every-down player who can thrive in any situation.