LB is a Need

[mjt328]

Linebacker is a position where the starters are rarely subbed out (unlike the D-Line).  Barring injury, the starting LBs will play 90% or more of the defensive snaps.  That's why backup LBs are primarily judged by their special team skills, as opposed to how well they can slide into the starting lineup.

 

Since the league is very pass-heavy, defenses also spend around half of their time (sometimes more) in Nickel.  Our primary guys in Nickel are Milano and Edmunds, while Alexander comes off the field or becomes a pass rushing specialist in this formation.

 

Milano's injury is not expected to be a long-term issue.  And Edmunds was drafted to be a key leader on this defense for the next decade.

 

I'm certainly not against drafting another LB in the mid-rounds for depth.  But it's not a position we desperately need.  It's a luxury.  If we use a high pick one, he will play less than 25 percent of snaps his rookie season, and will basically be fighting for reps against Milano/Edmunds/D-Line going forward. 

[Formerly Allan in MD]

We'll likely draft one high, unless we trade away a lot of picks to move up.

[The Jokeman]

1 hour ago, golfball323 said:

Take a look:

 

 

You have Edmunds, who is  coming off a nice rookie year.

 

Past that, we have Milano, who we can only hope is back to normal after a freak broken bone last season. 

 

Alexander is 35 and coming off a great year, but is only on a one year deal. 

 

After those 3 we have a bunch of no names that I don't want on the field if we have an injury to one of our starting 3. If we're thinking long term then we definitely need to address LB in the draft.

 

Can't wait for Thursday.

I can't see us taking a LB earlier than Round 3. Unless Oliver and Hockenson aren't available with pick 9 then we might take a guy like White because he'd be the BPA  yet we might also elect to trade down then and maybe grab another DT like Wilkins. 

26 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

Hodge with one of the later picks?

Hodge is build more like a MLB than a SLB that we need to be the heir to LorAx. Yet all things considered love to get a good MLB and move Edmunds to SLB. 

[ColoradoBills]

1 hour ago, golfball323 said:

Take a look:

 

 

You have Edmunds, who is  coming off a nice rookie year.

 

Past that, we have Milano, who we can only hope is back to normal after a freak broken bone last season. 

 

Alexander is 35 and coming off a great year, but is only on a one year deal. 

 

After those 3 we have a bunch of no names that I don't want on the field if we have an injury to one of our starting 3. If we're thinking long term then we definitely need to address LB in the draft.

 

Can't wait for Thursday.

 

The facts are that the Bills are not going to camp with 7 LBs.

The minimum is probably 9 which is 3 full teams.

It won't be 2 UDFAs so another FA and/or a draft pick seems logical.

[Aussie Joe]

44 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

Hodge with one of the later picks?

 

Too slow... you could time his 40 with a sun dial..

 

 

[JerseyBills]

I don't think it's as big of a need as it looks on paper.

Usually only 2 LB on field. Edmunds and Lorax never come off field. Milano sounds like he recovered nicely. Stanford is good depth and Alexander is a S/LB hybrid. Good addition for the Big Nickel . He can play and I'm assuming McD has a vision for him on this team. 

 

I'm sure they also add a rookie or 2 on day 2 and/or 3

[maryland-bills-fan]

2 hours ago, oldmanfan said:

He broke his fibula.  The fibula is the small bone in the leg that has absolutely no weight bearing function.  It is a very easy injury to heal from, so Milano should be just fine.  Not that I'm against a LB; if they could get that Allen kid I'd run to the podium. 

Duh,   do you think that this is a surprise to Beane?    Devin White looks like the next Ray Lewis.  Think about it.

59 minutes ago, Bill Murray said:

DK Metcalf says who needs LBs when you score 40 a game.

IF we don't draft a LB, can I quote you on this comment at the end of the season?

 

[Simon Says]

Bills often run with just  2 LBs. They signed Alexander, who might play some WLB,and Holder, who can line up at SLB (as can Hughes, I suppose)

[Ethan in Cleveland]

We need an edge rusher not a true linebacker.

Can they draft White and move Edmunds to edge? Maybe. I wouldn't do it.

I still advocate for TE at 9 and then edge and DT with the next two picks. I would not draft a WR in first three rounds.

Ideally they trade down once and can add an OT in the first two days as well. Then add some depth defenders in the late rounds that can be developed and play special teams, LB, S, and CB

[Alphadawg7]

2 hours ago, golfball323 said:

Take a look:

 

 

You have Edmunds, who is  coming off a nice rookie year.

 

Past that, we have Milano, who we can only hope is back to normal after a freak broken bone last season. 

 

Alexander is 35 and coming off a great year, but is only on a one year deal. 

 

After those 3 we have a bunch of no names that I don't want on the field if we have an injury to one of our starting 3. If we're thinking long term then we definitely need to address LB in the draft.

 

Can't wait for Thursday.

 

This is where I remind people that this is NOT our LAST and FINAL draft ever.  You guys realize we have a whole new Free Agency and Draft next year too right?  We are not going to draft 25 players this year.  We have to prioritize how we spend draft picks.  LB is far from our most pressing need in this draft.  

 

I am sure they wont hesitate to grab a LB if they feel he is the top player on their board when they pick.  I do however think they have weighted other positions more though on their internal board and that it reduces the odds we would take a LB with any of our premium selections in rounds 1, 2 and 3 this year.

 

My guess is that Beane, when making his board, has put emphases on things like EDGE, DT, WR, OL, and maybe TE than he has on the LBs.  Again, wont surprise me to see them take a LB if he is the highest rated player on Beanes board when we are on the clock at any given pick.  I do think its less likely in the earlier rounds that at any point a LB will be BPA on Beanes board though.  

[Chandler#81]

1 hour ago, billsbackto81 said:

I can't believe I've gotten this far without reading someone say  "we only have two linebackers on the field anyway".

 

It's a very big need indeed. We're an injury away from Schitts Creek. If we were in a better spot I guarantee we'd be taking Allen over any DT aside from Q. Williams.

 

I'd be hard pressed to make a decision if Oliver, White and Hockenson where there at 9.

Of course there’s rarely 3 LBs on the field anymore. We’ll add at least one via later round Draft/UDFA and another vet with ST skills before TC. 

 

We have a paddle..

 

[Aussie Joe]

I would like to see them spend one of those mid to late Day 3 picks on an LB that can be developed for 2020 and beyond..

 

3 guys I think have some upside are Bobby Okereke, David Long Jr and Gary Johnson

[maryland-bills-fan]

Tthere is another thread about the bills draft a LB at 9.  White is the next Ray Lewis.

[oldmanfan]

56 minutes ago, maryland-bills-fan said:

Duh,   do you think that this is a surprise to Beane?    Devin White looks like the next Ray Lewis.  Think about it.

IF we don't draft a LB, can I quote you on this comment at the end of the season?

 

I don't know what your problem is.

[Cripple Creek]

3 hours ago, mrags said:

You may see them take one at 9 if someone falls in their laps. Or even trade back for one. 

 

Imo, LB is one of the weakest spots on this team now. Especially defensive needs. Either they think they have a good starting 3 and get some mid to late round depth. Or they go big and try and secure that position for years to come with Edmunds and an early first round rookie. 

You are a wise individual.

[Aussie Joe]

Im interested in why some people feel the need now " to secure the LB  position for years to come"...?

 

Aren't there good LB prospects available every year?

 

 

Edited April 22, 2019 by Aussie Joe

[Saxum]

4 hours ago, TOboy said:

Definitely a need for depth. Possibly someone he can apprentice with Lorax for a year before assuming a bigger role. 

 

or maybe someone they can just tap as blood donor to Lorax to keep him young. 

 

I am expecting Lorax to lose more weight and go from LB to being a DB since he has shown ability to remold himself before.  He'd make a heck of a safety in 3 safety sets.

1 hour ago, maryland-bills-fan said:

Tthere is another thread about the bills draft a LB at 9.  White is the next Ray Lewis.

 

Really? Has he practiced covering up crimes?

[Beast]

4 hours ago, billsbackto81 said:

I can't believe I've gotten this far without reading someone say  "we only have two linebackers on the field anyway".

 

It's a very big need indeed. We're an injury away from Schitts Creek. If we were in a better spot I guarantee we'd be taking Allen over any DT aside from Q. Williams.

 

I'd be hard pressed to make a decision if Oliver, White and Hockenson where there at 9.

 

I wouldn’t be hard pressed in that scenario at all.

 

Ed Oliver should be the guy if he’s on the board. 

 

Pressure up the middle is something this defense needs.

[John from Riverside]

22 minutes ago, Binghamton Beast said:

 

I wouldn’t be hard pressed in that scenario at all.

 

Ed Oliver should be the guy if he’s on the board. 

 

Pressure up the middle is something this defense needs.

I am there to.  If Oliver is on the board...take him