The Buffalo Bills may have found a new star at linebacker in rookie fourth-round draft pick Kaleb Elarms-Orr out of TCU. The Bills finally decided to draft a linebacker of Elarms-Orr's stature and caliber, as he fits what new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard wants in his linebackers for his 3-4 multiple, aggressive scheme.
In the past, the Bills tended to draft smaller, faster linebackers who could move side to side but were not powerful enough to deliver big hits to sack the quarterback or stop the run. Those days are now over, as the league is reverting to the traditional big, physical linebackers who are key to team strategies focused on stopping the run and delivering crushing hits to force fumbles.
Let's take a look at how rookie linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr's immediate impact signals a shift from drafting smaller linebackers to drafting bigger linebackers who can tackle and stop the run.
Could Bills' linebacker room have more youth starting than in past?
As much as general manager Brandon Beane receives backlash from Bills fans, the majority of them who've followed the Bills for the past nine years know how Beane has operated in handling the team roster.
Beane has always believed in building through the draft and re-signing them to long-term extensions to create cap space. But maybe there was a disagreement between Beane and former head coach Sean McDermott was whether these rookies, including late ones like Elarms-Orr's, should see the field in Year 1.
The answer was clear. McDermott was a little more patient in developing late-round rookie picks, while some did see the field and were ultimately re-signed. But now, under head coach Joe Brady, it seems he wants late-round draft picks like Elarms-Orr's and others actually to start right away.
This is music to Elarms-Orr's ears, given his standout performance, which highlights his potential with the team.
Also, it opens the door for undrafted free agent Joe Andreessen, another promising young, big linebacker at 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, to play alongside Elarms-Orr. They could replace Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams, even if they come back healthy and the other two are still playing well.
Receiving playing time through execution
As far as Elarms-Orr has been given a fateful opportunity to get starting reps in camp, he's also taken advantage of it, knowing he can't control injuries to other players. He's been filling in for Bernard, who's coming off offseason ankle surgery, and also replacing Williams, who fractured his leg in two spots.
While he's also been starting in 11-on-11 team drills in training camp, the dedicated linebacker has been staying after practices to work on procedures that many players wouldn't care about.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr was asked to do an interview; and he did agree, but wanted to get some extra work in by himself first, as per Matthew Bove.
I asked Kaleb Elarms-Orr to do an interview. He agreed but said he wanted to go get in extra work first. He literally went to the back field by himself to get extra reps. When he came back he said he won’t stop until he’s the best. pic.twitter.com/5vrBthsJTJ
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) August 4, 2026
Accepting the dedication of young rookie players who are mastering the defense better than the veterans, and their willingness to stay late to put in extra reps, there's no reason not to play them on the defense immediately this season, if the need arises.
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