As the 2021 NFL Draft gets closer, the list of prospects that the Buffalo Bills have met with grows, and a new prospect was just recently added to that list. According to Justin Melo of the Draft Network, the Bills have recently met virtually with former Boston College linebacker Isaiah McDuffie.
At 6’1″ and about 225 pounds, McDuffie had a monster of a year in 2020 recording 107 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 1 interception. The first thing about McDuffie that pops off the tape is his ability to cover the field. He has an uncanny ability to cover sideline to sideline with ridiculous speed for the linebacker position.
He is slightly undersized for the linebacker position but is just smaller than ideal size for a weakside linebacker in the NFL. However, McDuffie plays with an exceptional level of physicality for his size. Sometimes his eagerness to make a play can be an issue and cause him to over pursue when in man coverage or when attacking the ball carrier. Playing with McDuffie’s level of energy can be a gift and a curse at times, but you take the good with the bad.
In my opinion, the Buffalo Bills likely did their homework on McDuffie prior to re-signing Matt Milano, who coincidentally or not, also played at Boston College. The two are very similar in size, role, and play style, although Milano is much more polished and consistent in pass coverage. The Buffalo Bills could still have their eyes on him for the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft, but it is more likely that they hope he slides to them in the late rounds or as a UDFA to snag as a backup to Milano at the weak side linebacker position.
McDuffie will likely be a day three pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but he can undoubtedly be an immediate contributor on special teams at the next level with his combination of size and speed. He has the physical tools and potential to develop into a good weak side linebacker, similar to Milano, but it’s nice insurance to know he can immediately contribute on special teams.