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Predicting the Buffalo Bills 2020 Depth Chart: Linebacker

By Daniel Bruce

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 03: Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Buffalo Bills runs on the field before a game against the Washington Redskins at New Era Field on November 3, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo beats Washington 24 to 9. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 03: Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Buffalo Bills runs on the field before a game against the Washington Redskins at New Era Field on November 3, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo beats Washington 24 to 9. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – AUGUST 29: Vosean Joseph #50 of the Buffalo Bills avoids the block of Cornelius Edison #67 of the Minnesota Vikings during a preseason game at New Era Field on August 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Minnesota 27-23. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Backup: Vosean Joseph

The 2019 fifth-round selection was injured for all of last season and will be looking to make a mark on the field this year for Buffalo. With the team being relatively weak in terms of depth at linebacker, Joseph has a chance to solidify himself as the primary backup in the group, he boasts more talent than any of his counter parts.

When playing his college ball in Florida, Joseph was a pursuit style linebacker who used his great athleticism to attack the ball. He struggled with awareness at the position and hopefully with a full season in an NFL room, he was able to pick up some valuable information to help him evolve at the position.

One surprising thing about Joseph is his ability to blow up ball carriers, at just 6’1″ and 230 pounds the young linebacker has the tools to burst through gaps and punish the runner.

There have been rumblings that Joseph has put on significant muscle too, so look for the second-year linebacker to impress next season.

Backup: Tyler Matakevich

The one depth linebacker who is guaranteed to have a spot on the roster is Matakevich. Buffalo signed Matakevich to a 2-year $9 million contract this offseason to be the best player and leader of the Bills special teams.

Never being a regular contributor on the defensive side of the ball during his 4 seasons with the Steelers, just playing 2% of defensive snaps last season too. Matakevich makes up for that with special teams snaps, he played 79% of special teams snaps and will be an improvement in that role over Julian Stanford from last year.

Backup: Corey Thompson

Thompson has been held in high regard by the Bills brass over the last two seasons, but hasn’t proven anything on the field to get too excited about.

The undrafted free agent in 2018, has played 18 games over the course of two seasons in Buffalo, starting one game.

While playing any snaps on the defensive side of the ball won’t happen without injury to either of the Bills linebacker’s getting on the field will be tough. Thompson though is also very good on special teams and took on a big role last season playing 45% of special teams snaps.

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