Bills need to add linebacker depth to fill out the roster

The Buffalo Bills, as of right now, don't have a replacement for Tremaine Edmunds. Coming into the offseason, the Bills Mafia knew that either Edmunds or Jordan Poyer might be gone, or both. If you were to ask the majority of the fanbase, they would lean more toward the organization being able to retain Edmunds […]

Adam Zientek NFL News Writer
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Bills HC Sean McDermott

The Buffalo Bills, as of right now, don't have a replacement for Tremaine Edmunds.

Coming into the offseason, the Bills Mafia knew that either Edmunds or Jordan Poyer might be gone, or both. If you were to ask the majority of the fanbase, they would lean more toward the organization being able to retain Edmunds than Poyer.

However, that wasn't the case. Edmunds took his talents to the Chicago Bears while Buffalo was able to keep Poyer for what may be his last few years in the NFL. With the decision, Buffalo has to fill an important roster hole.

ESPN highlighted one move that all 32 NFL teams still need to make. Field Yates, ESPN Insider, has Buffalo needing to address the middle linebacker position.

While Matt Milano will serve as the central hub of the linebacker group, it's a young and largely untested group beyond him. Buffalo's roster is in an extremely healthy spot and is good enough to win the Super Bowl, but depth at a position they have not been active in addressing this offseason feels like one last to-do item.

There is plenty of controversy surrounding the position as during the NFL draft, Buffalo selected Dorian Williams. Almost immediately after being drafted, Beane announced that Williams would be starting outside, not inside to start the season.

However, it was later revealed that Williams had a private conversation with McDermott in which the head coach told him to learn the inside linebacking position, a direct conflict with what Beane had expressed. Nevertheless, the fanbase was divided and still doesn't have a clear answer at the position.

While the Bills Mafia has been clamoring for DeAndre Hopkins to team up with Josh Allen for an offense that could be the scariest in the NFL, there are bigger issues with the team that need immediate resolution.

Buffalo needs a starting MLB and depth at the position. Maybe Beane and McDermott have the perfect plan. However, with Leslie Frazier out, McDermott now calling the plays, and a general disconnect with communication as of late, things need to be cleaned up at One Bills Drive.

Currently, in their linebacking room based on their ESPN depth chart, the inside linebacker position is compromised of A.J. Klein, Dorian Williams, and Tryrel Dodson. Terell Bernard and Baylon Spector are listed outside of the position but could also see playing time at MLB.

With the season rapidly approaching, could Buffalo kick the tires on a free-agent linebacker? According to Spotrac, the available inside linebacker options may not include anyone that Brandon Beane may kick the tires on.

Who are the available free-agent linebackers?

  • Zach Cunningham
  • Deion Jones
  • Myles Jack
  • Kyle Van Noy
  • Kwon Alexander
  • Jayon Brown
  • Jarrad Davis
  • Jon Bostic
  • Micah Kiser
  • Jermaine Carter

All eyes will be on Buffalo week one to see who is paired up alongside Matt Milano.

Featured image via Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports