The Emergence of Greg Rousseau

The Buffalo Bills may have one of the most talented and stacked defensive lines, maybe even the best front seven, in the entire NFL. This is due to additions like future Hall of Famer Von Miller, Da’Quan Jones, and Tim Settle, elite play from veteran linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano, and the return of wrecking ball Jordan Phillips. But none of them have truly stood out like 2021 first-round pick, DE Greg Rousseau.

Off to a Hot Start

The 22-year-old Florida native is off to a hot start to kick off the 2022 NFL season. In three games, Rousseau has racked up 11 total tackles (eight solo), three and a half sacks, and a league-leading five tackles for loss. 

On top of that, Rousseau is also PFF’s second highest-graded second-year player, receiving a grade of 89.6, trailing only 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year and Penn State legend Micah Parsons.

I see you @gregrousseau!!! 👇🏼#Bills https://t.co/w8JkFZwPES

— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) September 29, 2022

Rousseau got off to a somewhat similar hot start in 2021. Through three games last year, he had the same number of total tackles (11), one and a half fewer sacks (2.0), and two fewer tackles for loss (3).

But, even though the numbers so far are comparable to last season’s first three games, something feels different this season with Rousseau… You can truly feel his presence.

Teammate, and fellow edge rusher, Von Miller had this to say about his teammate: 

“Yeah, he has everything you need. He has the size – he’s 6-7, 260 pounds. He’s fast… long… rangy. He can play like J.J. Watt if [he] wanted to with the swim moves and the speed to power and just the subtle dips. He can burst off the edge like Myles Garrett. He’s going to have a really bright career, man. I’ve seen it up close and personal. From a media perspective, y’all just see the games and stuff, but I’ve seen it since I very first got here, and I’m telling you he has a very, very bright future ahead of him.”

von miller on Greg Rousseau (via Jay Skurski/Buffalo News)

Whatever it may be, Greg Rousseau has truly stood out in Leslie Frazier’s defense. But he may have only scratched the surface of the dominant player he can truly become.

Featured Image: Mark Konenzy/USA TODAY Sports