The Buffalo Bills are bringing in two linebackers, Josh Bynes and Stephone Anthony, for visits pre-training camp.
In an effort to create more depth behind Tremaine Edmunds, Lorenzo Alexander, Matt Milano, and Vosean Joseph, the Buffalo Bills are bringing in two veteran linebackers for visit. The two players include Josh Bynes and Stephone Anthony, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
LBs Josh Bynes and Stephone Anthony visiting the Bills today, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2019
Bynes was a surprise release by the Arizona Cardinals earlier in the off-season. An eight-year veteran, the linebacker had his best season as a pro in 2018.
Bynes finished last season with 75 tackles, two sacks, five tackles for loss, and five pass deflections in just 11 games started. Pro Football Focus gave him a 75.8 grade, good for 15th among qualifying middle linebackers. He had 725 defensive snaps and 60 on special teams for the year.
A first-round pick out of Clemson in 2015 via the New Orleans Saints, Stephone Anthony hasn’t quite lived up to lofty expectations in the NFL. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound linebacker finished his rookie season on the PFWA All-Rookie Team; as he tallied 112 total tackles, five for a loss, a sack, a couple forced fumbles and an interception.
After his rookie year, the wheels fell off for Anthony. He switched to strong-side linebacker and struggled, then finished on the injured reserve. After 2017, he was out of New Orleans and traded to Miami for a fifth-round selection. After one season recording seven tackles, he’s a free agent.
Though a disappointment, Anthony is an uber-athletic linebacker (4.56 second 40-time) with some NFL experience. If signed by the Bills, he’d likely find himself on special teams or as a reserve.