The Buffalo Bills excel at cultivating defensive talent. Time and again, they’ve selected players later in the draft who are prepared to step up when needed.
A recent example is linebacker Terrel Bernard, who took on a starting role last year and became a pivotal part of the Buffalo defense. This season, a similar development is occurring with linebacker Dorian Williams, who currently ranks fourth among all linebackers in the NFL with 51 tackles, just one behind Roquan Smith and Robert Spillane, who both have 52.
Williams is also tied for second in the league with 29 stops and boasts the best coverage, allowing just 6.5 yards per reception—the lowest for any linebacker. While Williams is not without flaws, as he occasionally misjudges plays and finds himself out of position, his improvement throughout the season is clear. He is a highly athletic run-and-chase linebacker capable of delivering significant hits. The combination of Williams and Bernard on the field together has proven to be particularly effective.
The situation becomes intriguing for Buffalo with the anticipated return of veteran linebacker Matt Milano, whose injury has opened up playing time for Williams. On one hand, it seems the Bills can afford to wait for Milano’s full recovery; on the other, Williams has certainly earned his opportunity to play.
Will the Bills utilize more three-linebacker sets to accommodate both players? If they do, how will that affect nickel defender Taron Johnson’s playing time? It’s a delightful dilemma for the team, and it’s likely they’ve started discussing it. One thing is clear: Buffalo’s investment in developing Williams highlights their exceptional coaching, especially on the defensive side.
