Linebackers in a 3-4

[ndirish1978]

The LB position is a bit of a question mark for me as we transition over to a 3-4. Bernard looks like a WILB in 3-4. Dorian Williams and Michael Hoecht would be an OLBs in this new scheme.  If we re-sign Shaq we would have our Mike LB but he is getting up there in age, I would rather have someone young play there. I would like to bring in Leo Chenal, who can play pretty much any lb position, but I believe he lined up as a SAM mostly prior, am I right?

 

Am I correct in thinking that we realistically need a very good pass-rushing OLB and a traditional thumping Mike to sort out this position? I'd appreciate if you who are more educated in 3-4 schemes could help me out. Thanks!

Edited February 16 by ndirish1978

[boyst]

Dorian Williams needs to be Mike. He will be a liability in the space outside. Shaq could handle Mike but would be better as Sam.

Jack: Bernard

Mike: williams

Sam: Thompson (if we keep him) mixed with Hoecht. 

Will: Milano (if we keep him) or FA. 

 

Williams has no business anywhere but Mike. 

[SoonerBillsFan]

I see 2 definitely and possibly 3 new LB's

 

I dont see anyone on the roster really fitting in the new system. But I admit I could be completely wrong. I would like to see Shaq brought back.

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Williams is 230, I really don't think he'll play OLB. 
 

It'll be Groot and Hoecht outside, Williams and Bernard inside 

[Carmel Corn]

35 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Williams is 230, I really don't think he'll play OLB. 
 

It'll be Groot and Hoecht outside, Williams and Bernard inside 

Not sure if Hoecht will be available soon enough…unless I’m wrong about his Achilles recovery timetable.

[boyst]

5 minutes ago, Carmel Corn said:

Not sure if Hoecht will be available soon enough…unless I’m wrong about his Achilles recovery timetable.

My concern is the long-term availability of him as I expect a coincidal injury to occur on the opposite leg in either the knee or Achilles. It's just how these injuries seem to work.

[SoonerBillsFan]

54 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Williams is 230, I really don't think he'll play OLB. 
 

It'll be Groot and Hoecht outside, Williams and Bernard inside 

How well can Groot cover?  Everyone is just thinking blitz or run defense.  The OLB must be able to cover.

 

 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

A lot depends on what they do with Milano.

If they bring back Milano then I would play Milano and Bernard at OLB. I would bring back Thompson at MLB and add another LB in FA and middle of the draft.

 

Bernard played injured almost all year. But even when healthy at the beginning of the year he was terrible. Even McDermott said he left plays on the field. He's been a serviceable blitzer. Much better than Williams and Edmunds before that. Move him to OLB where he should have been all along. Give him one more year and if still can't stay healthy then take the cap hit post June 2027. 

 

Milano on a 1 year deal with an added void year with incentives feels right. 

 

I'd injury settlement Hoecht and be rid of the PED cheat who should never have been signed.

 

What happens with Rousseau will be interesting.  Is he a standup OLB in the 3-4? Is he only a nickel 4 DL DE? Doesn't seem to have the body type for a 3-4 DE. Might depend on what they do with Oliver. Is Oliver a NT or a DE with short arms? 

 

Sanders already played some DE this year so I think he probably bounces from 3-4 DE to 4-3 nickel DT. Walker and Oliver probably rotate at NT and both play DT inside pass rushers in 4-3 nickel. 

 

Lots of scenarios.  

 

All of the above is probably predicated on if they can land a premium edge rusher via trade or FA. 

 

Edited February 16 by Ethan in Cleveland

[noacls]

If Rousseau and Hoect are the OLB in this defense I'm taking the money line for Bills to miss playoffs. Rousseau does not have the athletic ability to play standing up and in coverage. 

     I think the better option is tell Groot, Hoecht, and Jackson to add 20 -25 lbs.  Hoecht started at 300lb in the league. Goot(6'7"), Jacson(6'6") their frames can easily take that weight. 

     Bernard and Williams at ILB, and in my opinion only person who fits OLB on roster is  Solomon, and thats a huge reach as are rest of LB on team. 

     LB  has the potential  to be a bigger detriment this yr than WR last year.

[bills6969]

We are going to draft at least 2 LBs

[YoloinOhio]

I drafted Sonny styles at 26 in my mock today. We’re good.

[gonzo1105]

I’m not round pegging this LB crew. Get me bigger , faster, and aggressive. 235-240 in the middle, and twitchy athletes at OLB. I don’t want to see 3 of our 4 LBs be Bernard, Williams, Thompson or Rousseau . Sorry that’s just reshuffling the deck of terrible run defense and a pass rushing group that got zero sacks in the playoffs. Scheme will help but it won’t help that much 

[Rocbillsfan1]

Yea I’ve come around to groot ad a DE not an OLB. Maybe occasionally he could play the jack role but he’s not a fast bending rush the QB type. 
 

good questions but can add this to the discussion already in build the 2026 defense thread. 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

22 minutes ago, noacls said:

If Rousseau and Hoect are the OLB in this defense I'm taking the money line for Bills to miss playoffs. Rousseau does not have the athletic ability to play standing up and in coverage. 

     I think the better option is tell Groot, Hoecht, and Jackson to add 20 -25 lbs.  Hoecht started at 300lb in the league. Goot(6'7"), Jacson(6'6") their frames can easily take that weight. 

     Bernard and Williams at ILB, and in my opinion only person who fits OLB on roster is  Solomon, and thats a huge reach as are rest of LB on team. 

     LB  has the potential  to be a bigger detriment this yr than WR last year.

 

Funny you mention that. Article in todays BN about Jackson quoted him as saying he's trying to add around 10 pounds.  He stated he lost weight after the end of his last college game to do better/faster in the drills at the combine. 

 

Does bring up the point, how many players are mess themselves up by getting drafted differently than they were viewed in actual games?  It could help them get drafted earlier and get more money, but may mess them up long term.

[Pete]

1 hour ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

A lot depends on what they do with Milano.

If they bring back Milano then I fuel play Milano and Bernard at OLB. I would bring back Thompson at MLB and add another LB in FA and middle of the draft.

 

Bernard played injured almost all year. But even when healthy at the beginning of the year he was terrible. Even McDermott said he left plays on the field. He's been a serviceable blitzer. Much better than Williams and Edmunds before that. Move him to OLB where he shoudl have been all along. Give him one more year and if still cant stay healthy then take the cap hit post June 2027. 

 

Milano on a 1 year deal with an added void year with incentives feels right. 

 

I'd injury settlement Hoecht and be rid of the PED cheat who should never have been signed.

 

What happens woth Rousseau will be interesting.  Is he an standup OLB in the 3-4? Is he only a nickel 4 DL DE? Doesn't seem to have the body type for a 3-4 DE. Might depend on what they do with Oliver. Is Oliver a NT or a DE with short arms? 

 

Sanders already played some DE this year so I think he probably bounces from 3-4 DE to 4-3 nickel DT. Walker and Oliver probably rotate at NT and both play DT inside pass rushers in 4-3 nickel. 

 

Lots of scenarios.  

 

All of the above is probably predicated on if they can land a premium edge rusher via trade or FA. 

 

Marino said that Bills are paying Milano $11 million no matter if he plays for Buffalo or another team.  So for a team over the cap as of today($9million over the cap I think), that needs LBers- it makes perfect sense to keep Milano 

Bernard is the LB I don’t know where he fits in.  Buffalo Joe and Dorian are going to do well with the 3-4

[RyanC883]

I think only Williams and Bernard are locks to return.  Thompson if we can get him, but he's clearly indicated that he wants to be a starter and paid as such.  Too much risk with a big contract on him.  I think it will be Williams, Bernard, FA, and perhaps a draft pick and another FA battling for a spot.  

[BigAl2526]

35 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

I drafted Sonny styles at 26 in my mock today. We’re good.

Yeah, that would be a no brainer if he dropped.  Unfortunately, I just don't see that happening.

[BillsShredder83]

3 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

I see 2 definitely and possibly 3 new LB's

 

I dont see anyone on the roster really fitting in the new system. But I admit I could be completely wrong. I would like to see Shaq brought back.

Rousseau seems like a clear fit to go OLB to me!!  With all this change coming down the pipe, having no clue on field who definitively can fit where.... we need to come in being happy to fill a few spots on the defense.

 

How do we evaluate that kinda thing for Free Agency/Draft, before we've seen anyone on the roster even attempt it.  Make an earnest effort to fill the "absolute" needs as best as possible..... but I hope they don't over commit to drafting all defense before they've had even training camp to evaluate some of these guys.

 

Im simply saying, dont rush to run guys outta town, that are on the fence as a fit or not, and then turn around and potentially amplify a mistake by reaching.

 

Every DC needs a few pieces, but also we have a bunch of dudes that just came outta the packaging, that IMO, have had no real development even attempted yet.  I want to see him wring the sponge on every guy here, from Epenesa - last years class.  We're going to be sitting on some surprise gems that ppl have been calling a bust for years.

[BillsShredder83]

1 hour ago, gonzo1105 said:

I’m not round pegging this LB crew. Get me bigger , faster, and aggressive. 235-240 in the middle, and twitchy athletes at OLB. I don’t want to see 3 of our 4 LBs be Bernard, Williams, Thompson or Rousseau . Sorry that’s just reshuffling the deck of terrible run defense and a pass rushing group that got zero sacks in the playoffs. Scheme will help but it won’t help that much 

This is a great draft to grab multiple pass rushers in!!!  I'll actually be stoked about it this time with real coaches that are hungry.  The old staff was like a kid who's allowed to be picky at the dinner table.... "I wantr pb&j" --takes 2 bites.... "I want nuggets' --one sniff, "no thank you".... "Cheeseburger.... on and on and on.  Absolute garbage

 

Leonhard is gunna have to come in eat his new dinner, and clean up the old guys leftovers, all year 1

[NewEra]

2 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

How well can Groot cover?  Everyone is just thinking blitz or run defense.  The OLB must be able to cover.

 

 

He would most likely just be covering an area of a zone.  
 

He’s a pretty good athlete and his physical presence can cause problems for the QB.  I don’t think it would ever be a strength of his, but I believe he can avoid being a complete liability.  But who knows; maybe they ask him to bulk up and play inside