Predicting the starters for the Buffalo Bills defense after the 2023 NFL Draft

Buffalo Bills Linebackers

Starters: Matt Milano, Tyrel Dodson
Bench: Terrel Bernard, A.J. Klein, Tyler Matakevich, Baylon Spector

The biggest change on the defense for the Buffalo Bills this upcoming season will be at linebacker with Tremaine Edmunds no longer with the team. HIs departure in free agency has created a big hole in the middle of this defense and the Bills have a number of linebackers that will get a chance this summer to replace the former Pro Bowl linebacker.

At this point, the most likely candidate to step into the starting lineup alongside Matt Milano will be Tyrel Dodson. The former undrafted free agent has been with the Buffalo Bills since 2019 but didn't play in a regular season game until 2020. He has made five starts over the past three seasons and provides the best combination of upside and experience.

Tyrel Dodson will be pushed by Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams, two linebackers who have been drafted in the third round in consecutive years with Bernard being drafted last year and Williams this year. Both players have the athleticism to play the position but experience will be the biggest question. Bernard has the edge being with the team last season but it would seem this is a coin flip at this point.

While the hope would be for one of those three to take over the starting job, it remains to be seen if that is the case. That is why the Buffalo Bills brought back A.J. Klein as he knows this defense well and certainly could be a starter for this year if the Bills need to reassess the position next offseason.