Numark3 Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 (edited) Despite a tough loss in the playoffs, this season was objectively a step forward: with a team many predicted would get 4-6 wins, the Bills ended the playoffs drought. Now the off-season is upon us, and the bills should have plenty of cap room and draft picks to address their needs. I figured it would be great to take a look at the different units. Let's talk linebackers! [Quarterback-- Offensive Line-- Wide Receivers -- Tight Ends -- Defensive Line -- Linebackers -- Secondary -- Special Teams] Starters SLB - Alexander (signed through 2018) MLB - Brown (free agent) WLB - Milano (signed through 2020) Depth SLB - Lacey (signed through 2019) MLB - Vallejo (signed through 2020) WLB - Humber (free agent) ProFootball Focus Season Ratings Milano (Average) Alexander (Poor) Brown (Poor) Humber (Poor) Questions 1) Do we resign Brown or not? If not, we have one opening starter spot. This may be a position the front office would like to upgrade this offseason. 2) And how big of a need is outside linebacker? Right now we have Milano and Alexander, but Alexander is fairly old and signed for only one more year. And regardless, Alexander may be better suited in more of a depth role than he played this year. 3) Bring back Humber for depth? He seemed to drop off after his injury early in the season. Thoughts? Edited January 8, 2018 by Crayola64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangarang Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Id be okay with Brown returning. We need another starter on the outside and depth. Milano should be penciled in as the starting WLB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numark3 Posted January 8, 2018 Author Share Posted January 8, 2018 I do wish we had Milano out there today to help stop Bortles from running around like Michael Vick. But I think he is the likeliest of the three to be a starter here next season. I'm fine either way with Brown. It would be nice to get a stud linebacker in the draft to replace him, but those generally don't fall outside of the top 12 or so picks. I'd like to get a new starting OLB to push alexander down the depth chart though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Costa Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 I totally TRUST THE PROCESS but question the Ragland trade. I feel we could have found a place for him in this defense. Of all the trades his is the only one I disagree with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fadingpain Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 We need a demon pass rusher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numark3 Posted January 8, 2018 Author Share Posted January 8, 2018 Just now, Fadingpain said: We need a demon pass rusher. pass rushing linebacker? Do they exist? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Bring back Brown as depth. Humber can go. I think McDermott wants to upgrade MLB and find his Luke Keuchley probably through the draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Lightning Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Preston had a good year. We only have so many draft picks but if a great MLB prospect is within sight grab him. If not let's resign Preston. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIZ Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 15 minutes ago, Fadingpain said: We need a demon pass rusher. I agree. Free agency or draft? Same question for QB...free agency or draft? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJBobby Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Brown i would bring back as long as less than 5M AVV Alexander needs to be upgraded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianmoorman4jesus Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 (edited) Keep Milano and Villejo replace the rest Personally, i I like Alexander a lot though. And he did play great today. Although I don’t feel he fits the scheme, I can be okay with him being back. Just not him AND brown. Just the Lorax and I am good. Edited January 8, 2018 by Brianmoorman4jesus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 25 minutes ago, Paul Costa said: I totally TRUST THE PROCESS but question the Ragland trade. I feel we could have found a place for him in this defense. Of all the trades his is the only one I disagree with. He didn't fit the system, I would have liked more in return though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misterbluesky Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 18 minutes ago, Happy Gilmore said: I think McDermott wants to upgrade MLB and find his Luke Keuchley probably through the draft. Best of luck getting a guy like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDingus Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 I'd like to see Brown return. I still think we need to draft a LB too, but Brown lead the league in tackles this year, and is pretty consistent. He's not going to get to the QB, but he was pretty darn good out there today (as was the entire defense). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 26 minutes ago, Crayola64 said: pass rushing linebacker? Do they exist? Not really for this system. An elite pass rusher is essential for this team, I'm sure McD would love to have a NASCAR package like the giants had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaviorPeterman Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Defense was great today if you take away the Bortles rushing, and still think not having Studlano play hurt this team more than most realize. But heading into the offseason we definitely need to replace Alexander and Brown and both likely played their last game as Bills today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misterbluesky Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 4 minutes ago, SaviorPeterman said: Defense was great today if you take away the Bortles rushing, and still think not having Studlano play hurt this team more than most realize. But heading into the offseason we definitely need to replace Alexander and Brown and both likely played their last game as Bills today. Alexander should be one of the first releases..not sure why they renewed him for 2yrs last spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 3 minutes ago, Misterbluesky said: Best of luck getting a guy like that. I was pissed we missed Keuchley by one pick and got stuck with Gilmore Texas LB Malik Jefferson could be available in the first. Another kid I like is Leighton Vander Esch from Boise in the latter rounds but could be a steal. He's 6'4" 240 and can play every spot and can rush, cover and stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEpsYtown Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 We need more speed here. Brown is just too slow. Milano is really the only guy who fits this defense. Our lack of speed at the linebacker position is really what cost us the game in my opinion. Bortles scrambling could have been limited with more athleticism at the linebacker spot. That and the inability to get to the passer really hurt us. Dynamic, athletic linebackers in the mold of Deion Jones and Telvin Smith are what this team needs. Most importantly we need a Mike. One of the problems is that there isn't going to be much on the free agent market unless guys get cut. My first call in free agency would be to Tahir Whitehead to make him my MIKE. I also try to sign Star Lotulelei, then suddenly I feel better about the front seven. Draft a defensive end with one of the first round picks and you effectively fill some holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloRush Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Preston Brown is not coming back. The MLB is one of the most important players in McDermott's defense. I am pretty sure he'll want to upgrade for a faster and more athletic linebacker. In fact in a perfect world, he'd trade up for Roquon Smith from Georgia. Also he did lead the league in tackles this year and that should get him a good deal on the open market. That makes him to expensive to bring in as depth. Milano is probably good enough to either start or compete at WLB. As for the rest, it's probably time to let Ramon Humber walk, because again I think they want a faster and more athletic linebacker. Alexander definitely does not fit the scheme. I do think he could be a decent edge rusher in certain situations. But if the BIlls are tight against the cap, I can see them moving on him from which is too bad because I love his personality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 I foresee two new starters at LB in 2018. Brown walks and Alexander retires... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Vader Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Preston Brown is as good as gone. Another team will give him a big contract. Ramon Humber has played fine, but he's on the wrong side of 30, and Milano has played very good. I would like to keep Lorenzo Alexander. He's a good situational pass rusher and his contract is minimal. I think the Bills will look for Linebackers in both the draft and free agency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloRush Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 36 minutes ago, SaviorPeterman said: Defense was great today if you take away the Bortles rushing, and still think not having Studlano play hurt this team more than most realize. But heading into the offseason we definitely need to replace Alexander and Brown and both likely played their last game as Bills today. Maybe but at the end of the day, they gave up 10 points! How much better could they have played?????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numark3 Posted January 8, 2018 Author Share Posted January 8, 2018 7 minutes ago, ScottLaw said: Someone who's faster than Blake Bortles. Don’t get crazy now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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