Ranking the options currently on the Buffalo Bills roster to replace Tremaine Edmunds
By Kevin Devine
Terrel Bernard has the highest upside and could be the long-term answer
Terrel Bernard was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of last year’s draft. Already 23 years old, the Bills hoped to see development out of Bernard last season that would make him the natural successor to Tremaine Edmunds.
His season last year was uneven at best, and left many questions, eventually leading the Buffalo Bills to claim A.J. Klein off of waivers from the Bears in November when Edmunds was questionable with a groin injury. Klein became a free agent after the 2022 season, pushing Bernard back up the depth chart.
Bernard played just 110 snaps last season, less than 10% of the Bills defensive plays, and struggled to find consistency during that time. The Bills decision to recycle Klein last season rather than give Bernard increased opportunities shows how they felt about his development at that point.
However, Bernard was thought very highly of by the Bills, leading to them drafting him in the third round despite established starters in Edmunds and Matt Milano ahead of him on the roster. Similar in size to Tremaine Edmunds at 6’4” 224 pounds he is extremely athletic and seems like the most likely option currently on the roster to take a major step forward this season. With continued development, he will have a chance to surpass Dodson into a starting role in 2023.