Buffalo Bills: 2016 Draft Linebacker Options Part I

Dennis Moody

Dec 27, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Kellen Moore (17) points to Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Preston Brown (52) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills defeat Cowboys 16-6. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills: 2016 Draft Linebacker Options Part I

There is no question that linebacker is a major area of uncertainty for the Buffalo Bills heading into the offseason. The linebacker unit for the team this past season didn’t do very well, although, you can say that about most of the defense in fairness.

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Nigel Bradham, one of their starters from this past season, is a free agent and the Bills might not have enough cap space to be able to re-sign him. Due to their financial restraints, it’s not likely that they will be able to pursue an impact player at this position during free agency.

Below is a look at the Bills current depth chart which I pulled from the team’s official website. I circled the linebackers in red. If the Bills do not bring back Bradham, they will be even more depleted at the position leaving only Lawson, Brown, Tarpley, Reddick, and Valles on the roster for next season.

They need to seriously consider picking one or more linebackers in the draft to improve this position. For this reason, we are going to explore some of the options available in the draft in a multiple part series that will allow Bills fans to become more familiar with the teams options.

Next: Myles Jack

September 5, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Albert Reid (5) runs the ball against the defense of UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) during the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Myles Jack, UCLA

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 245 lbs

Projected Round: 1

In September, Myles Jack tore his meniscus in practice which ended his season. Despite coming back from an injury, Jack will likely be off the board when the Buffalo Bills pick at No. 19. The draft is always unpredictable which means there is still a slim chance he could be available when the Bills pick.

He was one of the top rated linebackers in college football coming into the 2015 season. He is very athletic and has an explosive burst. Myles is so quick that he even played running back throughout his career at UCLA, but mostly during his first season.

In the NFL, he could play outside linebacker, inside linebacker, or even safety because of his dynamic talent. The fact that he is able to play safety speaks volumes about his skills when it comes to coverage. His hands are good for a linebacker which gives him playmaker potential. He has great instincts and his ceiling is extremely high due to his rare athletic abilities.

Jack could use some improvement with his blitzing skills. He’s not a very powerful hitter, but he still finds ways to make tackles. Myles would benefit from putting on a couple more pounds of muscle to accommodate for the bigger players in the NFL compared with college.

Next: Reggie Ragland

Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad outside linebacker Reggie Ragland of Alabama (19) runs onto the field during player introductions before the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Reggie Ragland, Alabama

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 259 lbs

Projected Round: 1

Reggie Ragland is coming off a terrific senior season with the Crimson Tide. Ragland lead Alabama’s No. 2 ranked defense with 90 tackles on his way to winning the SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award. He has a thick frame at 6’1″ and 259 pounds. Reggie is a physical force to be reckoned with on the field.

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Ragland is great against the run. He’s not an overly special athlete but has great instincts and is extremely tough. Ragland is probably the best inside linebacker in the draft. He’s not only smart and instinctive, but he also is known to hustle and get dirty just to make a play.

Reggie may struggle in coverage at the NFL level. He doesn’t have the pure speed to keep up with running backs and the elite tight ends at the pro level. He may not make a good fit for the Bills because Preston Brown struggled at times in coverage last season and that is one of Ragland’s’ weaknesses as well.

There are also some concerns that due to his physical nature his body could wear down quicker than other players who don’t play as rugged of a style. He is projected by many to go in the top 25. There’s a greater chance of Ragland being on the board when the Bills draft at No. 19 than Myles Jack.

Next: Jaylon Smith

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Braxton Miller (1) runs the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) in the first quarter during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame

Height: 6’3″

Weight: 240 lbs

Projected Round: 1

Jaylon Smith tore both his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and his Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) in the Rose Bowl on New Years Day. This brutal injury will prevent him from playing in the 2016 NFL season. Much like Myles Jack, his injury is not likely to stop him from being selected in the first round of the draft.

According to CBSSports.com, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said that Smith was “the best [player] he has ever coached”. He is a freakish athlete who can make plays that others don’t have the natural ability to do.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said that Smith was “the best he has ever coached”

Smith is one of the best tacklers in college football. He is projected to be a three-down linebacker in the NFL if he can regain his form. At his size and weight, he has the ability to play either inside or outside linebacker at the pro level. According to his second mock draft, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper believes Jaylon is one of the top three of four talents on the board this year.

The fact that he suffered such a brutal injury so recently is a major concern. Any team drafting Smith needs to be prepared to let him sit out the 2016 season. It’s not easy for NFL coaches and general managers to take a chance on a player who won’t see the field for a year, but Smith is worth the risk. It will be interesting to see how he heals from his injuries because one of his assets was his explosiveness and speed.

Next: Darron Lee

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines safety Jabrill Peppers (5) runs the ball Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Darron Lee (43) moves to defend in the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Darron Lee, Ohio State

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 235 lbs

Projected Round: 1

When Darron Lee first started playing at Ohio State it was not at linebacker but at safety. He was able to bulk up during his time with the Buckeyes, and he eventually switched positions to linebacker.

He is a cerebral player who is quick to diagnose plays, as well as the route tendencies of opposing players. He has decent speed, and better than average athletic ability. He makes good use of his light frame, and agility, while rushing the passer. In college, he was a solid tackler, but one has to wonder how well he will be able to tackle bigger players in the NFL.

There are concerns about his small build. It’s not easy to be successful at linebacker in the NFL at 235 pounds. He lacks the necessary strength to compete with the bigger players in the league. Lee is still picking up the nuances of the linebacker position after switching over from safety. At times, he can be over aggressive in his pursuit. He also has the propensity to commit dumb penalties.

ESPN Insider believes that Lee can be fooled by play action on occasion. He will most likely be drafted in the first or second round. If he gets drafted in the second round, or later, it would be due to teams having concerns with his size and physicality.

Next: Kentrell Brothers

Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Blake Sims (6) is tackled by Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Markus Golden (33) and linebacker Kentrell Brothers (10) in the third quarter of the 2014 SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Kentrell Brothers, Missouri

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 249 lbs

Projected Round: 2

Kentrell Brothers led the nation with 152 tackles this past season. That was 12 more tackles than any other player in college football. He also has more tackles than anyone in college football over the past two seasons. With stats like that, it’s no surprise that he is known as an extremely gifted tackler.

Brothers has very good pre-snap intelligence and his instincts are solid. With his size, quickness, and intelligence, he has the potential to be a three-down player. In college, he played weakside linebacker in a 4-3 system and middle linebacker in nickel formations. If the Bills are unable to re-sign Nigel Bradham, he could potentially take his spot when the Bills use 4-3 formations. He’s thick enough that he would fit into a 3-4 system as well.

He excels when it comes to special teams which is a huge bonus for any team that drafts him. In 2015 he blocked three kicks on special teams. Linebackers often contribute immediately on special teams and scouts will definitely take note of the success he’s had when evaluating him.

Brothers aggressive tendencies have caused him to abandon some of his coverage responsibilities during his college career. Another knock on him is that does not have a huge reach. Similar to Reggie Ragland, he is an extremely solid player but gets the job done more with intellect and good instincts, rather than with freakish athletic abilities.

Next: Upcoming Analysis

May 26, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan (left) and general manager Doug Whaley during the organized team activities at the ADPRO Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Doug Whaley and Rex Ryan have a tough task ahead of them when it comes to restocking the linebacker corps of the Buffalo Bills this offseason. It’s possible the Bills linebackers will play better next season as they get more comfortable in Rex Ryan’s system. That doesn’t mean that they can’t afford to gamble that improved play from last year will make up for their lack of depth at the position.

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Rex Ryan has run 3-4 defenses in the past, but the simple fact is the Bills currently do not have the proper personnel on their roster to execute this type of system properly. At a minimum, Buffalo will have to consider adding a linebacker in the draft regardless of whether they are able to re-sign Nigel Bradham.

Next: Tyrod Taylor: Most Surprising Player of 2015?

Linebacker should be an important focus for the Bills this offseason if they want to improve upon their dismal defensive performance from last year. Stay tuned for the second part of this series which will feature linebackers Deion Jones (LSU), Leonard Floyd (Georgia), Joshua Perry (Ohio State), Dominique Alexander (Oklahoma) and Kyler Fackrell (Utah State).

Dennis Moody

Born in Long Island, New York. The youngest of ten kids with nine boys and one girl. Became a Bills fan at age 6 in 1989 to annoy all my older brothers who root for other AFC East teams. I've been a Bills addict ever since.