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Buffalo Bills: 6 Players to draft as replacements for Matt Milano

By Kendall Mirsky

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills moves on the field after a play during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. New England defeats Buffalo 16-10. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills moves on the field after a play during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. New England defeats Buffalo 16-10. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 30: Linebacker Jabril Cox #19 from LSU of the American Team warms up before the start of the 2021 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 30: Linebacker Jabril Cox #19 from LSU of the American Team warms up before the start of the 2021 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Jabril Cox – LSU & North Dakota State (Round 2 or 3)

Jabril Cox may be the linebacker I am most excited about entering the 2021 NFL Draft. With the way the Buffalo Bills struggled to defend the tight end and passes in the middle of the field last year, it seems like a coverage linebacker would be the best way to address those concerns moving forward.

At 6’4 and 231 pounds, Cox’s game is somewhat similar to Owusu-Koramoah. The reason Koramoah is projected to be a higher pick is because of his ability to defend the run in addition to his coverage abilities. While neither are great run defenders, Cox is considerably worse in this area.

Additionally, Cox only has one year of FBS football under his belt. Prior to his transfer to LSU, Cox played his collegiate football at North Dakota State where he was primarily a nickel corner and linebacker hybrid. In his 45 career games at NDSU, Cox was a coverage defender first with 6 interceptions and 18 passes defended. What got him his chance at LSU was the overall versatility to his game at NDSU where he added 258 total tackles, 32 tackles for loss and 14 sacks.

In his one year at LSU, Cox had 5 more passes defended in just ten games and secured 3 more interceptions while bringing one all the way back for a defensive touchdown. Cox’s coverage abilities are undeniable and should be the main reason the Buffalo Bills target him in the draft as a potential replacement to Milano.

However, his lapses in run-stopping could be the thing that makes him slide in the draft. His main issue was getting pushed off the ball at the second level, allowing opposing offensive linemen to get his hands on him due to slow run recognition.

With that being said, the concerns about Cox’s run-stopping could allow him to slide in the draft and make him a better value pick for the Buffalo Bills should they wind up drafting him in the 3rd round as opposed to the 2nd.

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