Buffalo Bills Training Camp Battles: Linebacker
This isn't just about replacing Matt Milano. It's about who Jim Leonhard trusts to wear the green dot if Terrel Bernard misses time, which has unfortunately been the case over the past two seasons (9 games missed). Leonhard needs a competent player next to Bernard who knows his defense as well as someone ready to step up in his absence. Nobody wants to see Baylon Spector and A.J. Klein being trotted out onto the field again, with all due respect.
The Obvious Competition
Dorian Williams vs Kaleb Elarms-Orr. I was excited about Williams getting the opportunity to show his athleticism in this style of defense when the Bills announced the Leonhard hiring, but the injury news and lack of field time during OTAs have hampered that. Elarms-Orr was drafted for this defense, and I don’t know if the expectation was for him to start year one, but the door was opened, and it sounds like he took advantage of the opportunity and turned some heads early on to make it into a true open competition as training camp begins. I am excited to see how it shakes out.
My biggest concern is the depth, or lack thereof, that Buffalo has at this position group if they are to lean into a Bernard pairing with either Williams or Elarms-Orr. Bernard and Williams, two players coming off of injuries, are your starters. Bernard and Elarms-Orr, a player coming off of an injury paired with a rookie, both learning a new defense. Neither scenario is ideal when you look at what’s behind them if something goes astray.
The Dark Horse Opportunities
The Bills have shown in recent years they aren't afraid to add a veteran late in training camp if they feel the roster needs another proven presence. If neither Williams nor Elarms-Orr separates himself, Brandon Beane could once again turn to free agency and give Leonhard what he needs to be successful on Defense. Any outside player mentioned below that they bring in has to be the presumed starter and not a mentor. I don’t believe this is what the organization wants to do, but will do if they are not happy with what they’re seeing early on or an injury prevents a player from getting the reps necessary to be ready for the season.
Reunite with Shaq Thompson
Thompson seemed to enjoy his time in Buffalo, but he made it clear that if he returns, he wants to be a starter. If the Bills make this type of move for Thompson, that would need to be the plan barring an injury, which isn’t that far-fetched given his history. He would bring leadership, experience in a 3-4 defense from his time in Carolina, and he looked really good last year when he stepped in. I know it's not the same scheme or coach as last season, but this would probably be the first player they look at not on the roster.
Sign Bobby Wagner
Yes, Wagner is 36 years old, but he just played 17 games for the Commanders last year, racking up 162 tackles, 8 for a loss, with 2 interceptions. I don’t think he knows he’s 36 years old. This would bring a HOF presence to the locker room and a player that the rookies can look up to and learn from. The question is, would that be beneficial for Leonhard as a first-year NFL defensive coordinator, or could it be harmful if things sputter at a point during the season?
Sign Germaine Pratt
Pratt is coming off his third straight season with 115+ tackles, splitting his time with the Raiders and Colts after spending his first six seasons in Cincinnati. If you sign him coming off of that kind of production, he is going to expect to start. His scheme fit may not be the best, but I think he is a cheaper option than someone like Bobby Okereke at this point.
My Prediction
Elarms-Orr is starting at linebacker in week one. I don’t think this is a hot take by any means with the quotes you're hearing coming out of Training Camp from Leonhard early on. Sometimes a player’s best ability is his availability, and that’s something Elarms-Orr has right now, and he’s taking advantage of the opportunities being presented to him. If he does get the nod, the Bills will need to sign a LB, but it will be for veteran depth versus veteran starter, so I would still expect a signing to be made that cracks the 53-man roster.
This also isn’t a knock on Williams by any means. I believe Williams is a good player and will do well in the new defense, but unfortunately he is behind the 8-ball right now by not getting the reps. I also feel that Elarms-Orr has the benefit of being drafted for this defense under the new DC and wasn’t inherited, so that tips the scales in his favor slightly. Either way, the next 5 weeks will be interesting to watch as this battle shakes itself out.
Monday: Buffalo Bills Training Camp Battles: Who Wins CB2?
