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The Buffalo Bills are about to find themselves in a very advantageous position in their linebacker room: head coach Sean McDermott could have more qualified starting candidates than spots on the field.
The Bills opened the 21-day practice window for linebacker Matt Milano on Nov. 11, meaning the former All-Pro is not only back in action in the fieldhouse, but they plan to have him active on Sunday, possibly as soon as the week 13 home game against the San Francisco 49ers on December 1. However, with Milano moving toward a full snapload, expect linebacker Dorian Williams’ defensive snaps to decrease.
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For starters, don’t expect this to be like flipping a switch, as the team will likely slowly transition Milano back into a full-time starting role. Remember, the Boston College product hasn’t played since Oct. 8, 2023, after missing most of last season with a broken tibia. You might imagine something like a quick count of 25% in game one, 50% in game two, 75% in game three, and on from there. That math tells you Williams would be 75%, 50%, 25%, a solid full-time backup.
Having Williams as a full-time backup as we enter January is a great situation for McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich. Through Week 11, he is ninth in the NFL with 97 total tackles. He also showed his ability to play on the right and left side of the defense, with 216 snaps to the right and 247 to the left. His total snaps of 493 are already higher than his rookie year, where he registered 193. His 9% missed tackle rate is 18th best among linebackers who play 50% of their team’s snaps.
Since those shots inevitably disappear with Milano’s return, you still have to find ways to get Williams on the field. The first place he should be deployed is on clear running downs and on third or fourth and short. The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder ranks 15th among qualified linebackers against the run, according to Pro Football Focus. Upgrading Baylon Spector at third linebacker to Williams is a fantastic trade. Think of Milano’s return in these circumstances like a team trading for a top pitcher: everyone else gets bumped up through the rotation and they should become more effective in their new role.
Speaking of new roles, Williams’ new role for 2024 should be one he excelled at in 2023: special teams. He has played just 47 snaps this season, combining between kick coverage, kick return, punt coverage and punt return. Last year he had 87 snaps in punt coverage, 65 in punt return, 48 in punt coverage and 55 in punt return. It feels safe to assume he hasn’t played on special teams this year because he was needed to start on defense, so this should make him another capable piece for Bills special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley.
In short, bringing Milano back to the active roster will have a ripple effect on both the defense and special teams, and it’s one that should strengthen the Bills even further as they get ready for a playoff run.
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