Buffalo Bills filled with Miami football alums on 2024 preseason roster

Veteran edge rusher Greg Rousseau is joined by defensive backs Te'Cory Couch and Dee Delaney and defensive tackle Branson Deen on the preseason roster of the Buffalo Bills. Rousseau who was a 2021 first-round pick by Buffalo is a mainstay on the Bills roster.

Delaney signed a one-year contract with Buffalo in May. Buffalo signed Couch and Deen as undrafted free agents. Delaney will have an opportunity with Buffalo with longtime starting safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer not returning in 2024. Couch and Deen will face a difficult challenge making the Buffalo roster.

Delaney is entering his sixth season in the NFL. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Delaney as an undrafted free agent in 2018 to begin his NFL career. Delaney only played two games with Jacksonville in 2018 and one with Washington in 2019 before becoming a full-time contributor with Tampa Bay from 2021–2023.

In his three seasons with Tampa Bay, Delaney had 71 tackles, seven forced fumbles, five pass breakups, three tackles for loss, three interceptions and a fumble recovery. ESPN lists Delaney fourth in the Buffalo depth chart at strong safety. Delaney's experience on special teams should help him in Buffalo.

Rousseau is the starting left defensive end in the Bills' 4-3 defense. In three seasons in Buffalo, Rousseau has 129 tackles. 17 sacks, 30 tackles for loss, 42 quarterback hits, 12 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and one interception. Rousseau is in the last year of a four-year contract in 2024 with a 2025 club option.

Canes Warning's partner site Buffalow Down profiled Couch last month and his chances for making the Buffalo roster. Couch has the advantage of playing for new Buffalo CBs coach Jahmile Addae, the secondary coach for Miami in 2022 and 2023. Couch is listed as the third-team nickel back for Buffalo.

Deen is the fourth-team left DT for Buffalo per ESPN. Buffalow Down projects Deen will be among the cuts when Buffalo finalizes its 2024 roster. Buffalo signed Deen to a three-year contract with a $10,000 signing bonus. The contract is not guaranteed. Deen's best chance could be making the Buffalo practice squad.

Buffalo finished 11-6 in 2023, beating the Dolphins in the final regular-season game to win the AFC East. The Bills were fourth in scoring defense, ninth in total defense, seventh against the pass and 15th against the run. Rousseau will at least continue the Miami connection to the Buffalo Bills.