Buffalo Bills: Updating key battles after the start of training camp

3.) Linebacker 

The Bills entered training camp with a massive hole at the linebacker spot with the departure of Tremaine Edmunds in free agency. Aside from Matt Milano, there were no guaranteed starters at the other linebacker position.

Going into camp, it seemed as if the battle between A.J. Klein, Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams would be a battle to keep an eye on. However, it seems like I may have missed out on Tyrel Dodson and Baylon Spector who have made the most of their opportunities on the first-team defense. 

Bills’ star edge rusher Von Miller mentioned how he thought the middle linebacker position was not up for grabs because Dodson was on the field with Matt Milano, in which the duo looked good in the reps according to Matt Parino. Dodson saw first team reps early on in training camp which can give him an advantage heading into the season seeing as how he has familiarity with McDermott’s defense.

Spector, who was drafted in the seventh round in 2022 has been able to show off his pass coverage skills in which he made some great plays against Josh Allen and the offense. In addition, safety Jordan Poyer praised Spector for being able to take control of the defense and yell out the plays pre-snap.

Depending on whether or not the coaching staff wants to have a run-stopper in the middle or a versatile player in the middle of the defense, that could give both Dodson and Spector an advantage as they continue battling it out in training camp.