Pro Football Focus was, and continues to be, high on the play of Buffalo Bills linebacker Tyrel Dodson in 2023.
Dodson was named Buffalo’s most-improved player from this past season according to the football analytics outlet. On top of that, the Bills defender has added another PFF honor to his plate as he made their “All-Breakout Team” for the entire NFL in 2023.
Here’s how PFF discusses Dodson:
The Bills’ linebacker room was in shambles after Tremaine Edmunds departed in free agency and Matt Milano went down with a broken leg in Week 5. It was up to Tyrel Dodson to fill the void, and he more than delivered. Dodson’s 89.5 overall grade trailed only Fred Warner and Demario Davis among linebackers this regular season, due in large part to being just as good in coverage (86.8 grade) as he was against the run (82.6). His best performance came in Week 11 against the Jets, when his 90.9 run-defense grade and 88.0 coverage grade culminated in a 92.9 game grade.
In the preseason, Dodson was fighting for playing time at middle linebacker. Terrel Bernard won that battle to replace Tremaine Edmunds.
However, a season-ending injury to Matt Milano forced Buffalo to start Dodson for 10 games and PFF thinks that turned out well.
However, analysis does have to be taken with a grain of salt.
Dodson had a positive season. Helping assist him is Buffalo’s decision to take him off the field on passing downs. That skews the statistics.
Even so, that still sheds a light on Dodson’s future. Milano and Bernard will be back to full health to start next season, meanwhile, Dodson is a free agent. Will he return?
Free agency will open in the NFL in March and Bills Wire will provide updates throughout.
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