Starter (MLB): Tremaine Edmunds
One of the most enticing prospects at middle linebacker in the whole league, Edmunds has all the physical tools to be a star in this league, and due to what he’s shown so far he is well on his way.
Standing at 6’5″ and 250 pounds, Edmunds is an athletic freak as he has top end speed which allows him to flow sideline to sideline and consistently get to the ball.
Reaching his first Pro Bowl last season, the second-year linebacker became more nationally recognized for his great play. He added 115 tackles, 10 tackles for loss,1.5 sacks, one interception and nine passes defended. He also was much improved in pass coverage during his second season.
Edmunds long frame is very useful in coverage as he is easily able to crowd passing windows. These physical traits makes quarterbacks think twice about going over the middle.
This play from the playoff game versus the Texans is classic Edmunds where he drops in coverage but when he shifts to rushing the quarterback he makes jump ground quick for the sack.
Show blitz... drop in coverage... chase down the QB for the sack.
— Tim Donnelly (@DonnellySports) January 4, 2020
Have #Hokies fans seen that versatility from Tremaine Edmunds (@maine_savage23) before??#WildCardWeekend #BillsMafia #GoBills pic.twitter.com/vAfferInrT
It’s scary how versatile Edmunds is on the field.
Starter (WLB): Matt Milano
Another young rising star on the Bills linebacker core, Matt Milano has been Edmunds running mate on the weak side over the last two seasons.
The soon to be fourth-year player out of Boston College, has progressed very nicely since being a fifth-round pick back in 2017, and is now heading into a crucial contract year.
Milano is one of the best cover linebackers in the whole NFL, a converted safety coming into the league, he possesses a great amount of coverage skill. Making consistent plays in coverage and being able to matchup versus running backs and tight ends.
Milano enjoyed a solid 2019 campaign, where he registered a career high in tackles, sacks and passes defended. Putting up 101 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and nine passes defended. Milano is a player the Bills would love to lockup for a long time.
Starter (SLB): A.J. Klein
The new signing out of New Orleans, the Buffalo Bills brought in Klein to replace Lorenzo Alexander at the strong side linebacker position.
Buffalo signed Klein to a 3-year $18 million contract to step in as a starter on the defense. Klein also adds a great veteran presence that the defense lost in when Alexander retired.
With Sean McDermott’s defense running a primarily nickel defense using a 4-2-5 alignment, Klein won’t be seeing near as many snaps as he did last season in New Orleans, where he saw 71% of snaps. Alexander played 48% of snaps last season at the position, but he possessed a solid pass rushing arsenal, while Klein isn’t known for that. Klein could be expected to play around 40% of snaps or even less.
Klein enjoyed a solid season last year on a talented New Orleans team, he finished the season with 69 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and two passes defended.
Not known for his coverage skills, Klein will most likely be used mainly in the box and at the line of scrimmage.