Linebacker depth
Every unit on the Bills defense could have made this article, but it would end up being a never ending article. The linebackers, like most of the defense, have been bad in 2020. The unit has been hit with the injury bug with Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano both missing games, and both playing through injury. The unit has also been hampered by the addition of AJ Klein, who has looked suspect against the run and pass.
Looking at the run defense, the Bills are currently ranked 28th in the NFL trying to defend the run, allowing 134.5 yards per game, and allowing 4.7 yards per attempt. The defense has also allowed 11 rushing touchdowns, it’s all around bad. While it’s hard to pin the failures of the defense on just the linebackers, but they haven’t been helping the cause, either. An example of this was Derrick Henry’s rushing touchdown against Buffalo. Tremaine Edmunds made the right read, but completely missed the tackle.
Look at Becton out in front pic.twitter.com/ucxJA66azH
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) October 26, 2020
The linebackers also aren’t reaching the quarterback on a consistent basis either, Milano is the only linebacker with a sack, with 1.5 so far this season. Milano is also the linebacker with an interception. The likes of Edmunds and Klein have been underperforming, and it’s hindering the entire defense.
Could have a deal been made? Yes.
Before the deadline, the likes of Avery Williamson of the Jets, and Kwon Alexander of the 49ers have been dealt to new teams. Acquiring Williamson would have difficult because trades between rival teams are always unlikely. While the addition of Alexander could have been possible because the 49ers received Kiko Alonso and a fifth-round pick in return.
While the Bills have had a successful season so far in terms of the record, they are still massive holes within the squad. It’s sort of shocking that they didn’t make any sort move when highly touted players are getting shipped to new teams for so little.
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