Bills year in review: linebacker grades

The 2022 Buffalo Bills defense featured two of the best linebackers in the NFL in Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds. Buffalo’s base defense features two linebackers, so the only significant playing time for anyone other than Milano/Edmunds was when one of the two were injured. Rookie Terrel Bernard was the only other linebacker on the Bills roster who showed he’d be worthy of starting in place of Tremaine Edmunds should he sign somewhere else in the offseason. It was reported Friday that Edmunds will let the free agency process “take shape.”

Here are my grades for the 2022 Bills linebackers:

Matt Milano
Games Started:  17
Games Played:  17
PFF Grade:  77.1
PFF Rank:  12^th of 81
Grade:  A

Analysis: Matt Milano finally received the respect he deserves in 2022, being named first-team All-Pro. Milano’s pass rushing and coverage skills were on point once again this year, intercepting three passes (one returned for a touchdown) and deflecting eleven more.

Tremaine Edmunds
Games Started:  15
Games Played:  15
PFF Grade:  81.9
PFF Rank:  5^th of 81
Grade:  A

Analysis: Tremaine Edmunds has received criticism from Bills Mafia because he doesn’t come up with the “flashy” plays like other linebackers across the league. The fact is, Edumunds had his best season as a Bill and is elite in pass coverage. Tremaine Edmunds is a top linebacker in the NFL and deserves to be paid this offseason. Hopefully it’s by the Bills.

Tyrel Dodson
Games Started:  3
Games Played:  18
PFF Grade:  48.4
PFF Rank:  Not enough Snaps
Grade:  D

Analysis: Tyrel Dodson made three spot starts for the Bills this season and did nothing to suggest he could take on a starting role next year if Tremaine Edmunds leaves. His main role with the team was on special teams.

A.J. Klein
Games Started:  1
Games Played:  8
PFF Grade:  47.9
PFF Rank:  Not enough snaps
Grade:  D

Analysis: Brandon Beane brought back AJ Klein mid-season for linebacker depth after the Bears released him. Klein was familiar with Leslie Frazier’s scheme and started versus the Lions for an injured Tremaine Edmunds but didn’t see much playing time after that, suggesting that his best days are behind him.  

Terrel Bernard
Games Started:  1
Games Played:  17
PFF Grade:  64.6
PFF Rank:  Not enough snaps
Grade:  C+

Analysis: Terrel Bernard was drafted in the third round in 2022. Rookies don’t see extensive playing time under Sean McDermott and that was the case with Bernard this season. The truth is, in his limited time on defense, he played better than his backup counterparts, Tyrel Dodson and AJ Klein and would be a cheap option for the Bills in 2023 if Edmunds walks.

Tyler Matakevich
Games Started:  0
Games Played:  18
PFF Grade:  76.0
PFF Rank:  Not enough snaps
Grade:  Not enough snaps

Analysis: Tyler Matakevich proved to be a valuable member of the Bills special teams once again this season with very little defensive playing time. 

Baylon Spector
Games Started:  0
Games Played:  6
PFF Grade:  27.9
PFF Rank:  Not enough snaps
Grade:  Not enough snaps

Analysis: Rookie Baylon Spector was inactive for a majority of the season. His contribution to the team was limited to special teams in the six games he played.