Buffalo Bills: Seven moves the Bills should explore this summer

Sign Mychal Kendricks

Kendricks was released by the Eagles on Tuesday after playing six years with the team. Over his six-year tenure in Philly, the 5-foot-11 linebacker has amassed 454 total tackles, 14 sacks and three interceptions. He has started 74 games and played in at least 13 games each season.

The linebacking position has gone through some major changes in the last year. It began with Matt Milano taking on the starting role halfway through the season in 2017. This offseason, Preston Brown moved on in free agency as he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. Finally, Tremaine Edmunds was selected at the No. 16 overall pick in last month’s draft.

While Lorenzo Alexander is still slotted as the third starting linebacker on the defense this season, the Bills could opt to sign Kendricks to continue the youth movement at the position. His versatility could also be big for the defense as they play a base 4-3 or line up in the nickel.

At Cal, Kendricks played middle linebacker but he lined up on the outside at the pro level. He is a solid tackler but also ran a 4.43 at the combine several years back. While his speed has surely diminished some, adding a player that can move like that and is a sure tackler is never a bad idea.

Adding a veteran with a skill-set like that next to a young, athletic, and fast duo like Milano and Edmunds could be a major boost to an improving defense.