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Bills' stellar linebacker duo snubbed from Top 10 in offseason LB unit rankings

The Buffalo Bills have two studs at the linebacker position, surely they're a top-10 unit... right?

McKenna Middlebrook

Bills linebacker Matt Milano celebrates one of four sacks of Miami s Skylar Thompson.
Bills linebacker Matt Milano celebrates one of four sacks of Miami s Skylar Thompson. / JAMIE GERMANO / USA TODAY NETWORK
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The Buffalo Bills were dealt a massive blow last season when they lost reigning All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano for the year in a Week 5 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Buffalo, fortunately, had a burgeoning star lining up next to him in Terrel Bernard, who, in his second season, had 143 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. It was an unexpected breakout campaign for the former Baylor Bear, a truly impactful season in which he made the Western New York faithful quickly forget about Tremaine Edmunds.

Entering the 2024 season with two healthy stud linebackers and another up-and-coming defender in Dorian Williams (who showed flashes during his rookie season), the Bills' linebacker unit should be ranked fairly high in preseason rankings… surely? Well, the good folks over at PFF -- who are continuing their series of ranking every positional group ahead of the new season -- have the Bills linebackers as the 11th-best unit in the NFL. 

Here is what Gordon McGuinness of PFF has to say about the Bills linebackers unit: “Milano was one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL in 2022, earning an 83.2 PFF coverage grade. Next to him, Terrel Bernard proved himself to be a solid starter in his second NFL season, producing a 65.9 PFF grade on 1,031 snaps.” 

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The Bills are gifted at the position; Milano, when healthy, is one of the best cover linebackers in the league, notching two interceptions and two pass breakups in just four total games last season. Bernard, his running mate, matches his uncanny ability to be around the ball in opportune moments, whether it’s breaking up passes, jumping on loose balls, or making big tackles at the point of attack. 

Matt Milano Terrel Bernard
Sep 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) reacts after his interception with linebacker Terrel Bernard (43) during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

And it’s this idea that makes the unit’s placement seem quite low—Milano is demonstrably one of the league’s most impactful defenders, and Bernard’s presence was more than felt in his absence last season. Buffalo’s linebacker corps consists of an All-Pro talent and a player who, had he been a more established name entering the 2023 season, likely would’ve garnered All-Pro consideration; and this unit isn’t even in the top 10?

All things considered, if the Bills’ linebacker duo can stay healthy, it will likely far exceed this ranking. Besides, PFF may not be the most trusted voice in discussions regarding Buffalo’s linebackers; the outlet recently ranked Milano as the fourth-best linebacker in football but did not include Bernard in its top 32. Tyrel Dodson, a… fine linebacker whom the Bills let depart as a free agent this offseason, came in at No. 22.

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McKenna Middlebrook
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