The Buffalo Bills are expected to have some changes at linebacker for this coming season with the recent news that Matt Milano is expected to test free agency. While it isn’t a guarantee he is leaving, at this point the likelihood that he does is high.
The Bills do have some potential replacements already on the roster with A.J. Klein and Tyrel Dodson, two players who last year did start games in place of Milano when he was injured. There are also going to be plenty of options in the NFL Draft for them to choose from.
However, there is one linebacker who recently became available that should be of interest to general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott. This is a player that they brought in for a free agent visit last year but he ultimately chose to sign with the Green Bay Packers.
While he wouldn’t be a perfect replacement for Matt Milano, the addition of Christian Kirksey would certainly be a boost for the linebacker position.
This past season with the Green Bay Packers, Kirksey started 11 games and had 77 total tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and four passes defended. He is a linebacker that can rush the passer, with 13.5 career sacks and 24 QB hits, but also drop back into coverage, with four interceptions and 20 passes defended on his career.
The biggest concern with Kirksey though is durability as in the past three seasons he has played only 20 games. However, if he is brought in to be more of a depth player that can compete for a starting job or be a rotational piece similar to what Klein was, then that certainly improves the linebacker position for this defense.
It remains to be seen if the Buffalo Bills are still interested in bringing Christian Kirksey but he is a player that would make sense for what he can bring to this defense.