Buffalo Bills: 3 reasons to worry about Dorian Williams

Overall, general manager Brandon Beane did a fine job in the 2023 NFL Draft. Only time will tell, of course, but Beane was able to address some main concerns within the Buffalo Bills’ roster over the weekend and there will absolutely be long-lasting effects with this incoming class.

One of the picks Beane made could wind up filling a large hole left by Tremaine Edmunds, and of course we’re talking about third-round pick Dorian Williams out of Tulane.

The ultra-productive linebacker came into the draft as a very polarizing prospect, because his production is through the roof, but he’s coming from a smaller program like Tulane.

Williams very well could step right in and take over the void left by Edmunds, stepping over veteran Tyrel Dodson. But, despite Williams having many great traits that translate well to the NFL level, there are a few reasons to worry about the pick as a whole.

Reasons to worry about Buffalo Bills rookie Dorian Williams: Lack of size

Size only counts so much, but at the NFL level, it definitely plays a part. Williams is an athlete, but he lacks the size and strength of a real forceful, game-changing linebacker. Look at the guy Williams is said to be replacing, in Tremaine Edmunds. The former Bills backer was a monster, standing 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds.

Meanwhile, Williams is just 6-foot-1, weighing 228 pounds. That’s quite the size difference, and the Bills are going to have to game plan around that. Williams isn’t going to be the force Edmunds was in coverage, being able to go up and get in the way of pass plays like the veteran did many times.

Not only will this be a difference in the passing game, but Williams can tend to get “swallowed up” at the second level, per many of his scouting reports. His lack of size makes it tough for him to get around those more athletic offensive linemen who race up to his level to secure their blocks.