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The Buffalo Bills are exploring linebacker options for Day 2 of the draft, focusing on versatility and athleticism. Joe Brady emphasizes the need for linebackers who can effectively handle both run stopping and pass coverage.
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One of the big trends Joe Brady recognized in recent years during his time as an offensive coordinator, and something he tried to do when calling plays for the Buffalo Bills, was scheming to get opposing linebackers into unfavorable situations.
If there was a linebacker on the field who could be exploited in pass coverage, attack him. Ditto for a linebacker who struggled against the run, go right at him.
For instance, former Bills linebacker Tyrel Dodson, who has played for the Dolphins since mid-2024, has always been terrible in coverage so, not surprisingly, in the two games against Miami last season, Josh Allen went after him. According to Pro Football Focus he completed 10 of 13 attempts into Dodsonâs coverage area for 112 yards.
Thus, when Brady was asked at the NFL ownersâ meetings in late March about what he and new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard were focusing on during their linebacker draft evaluations, versatility jumped to the forefront.
âThe offensive minds are doing too good of a job of trying to get your linebackers in matchups, so gone are the days where itâs just a linebacker who is strictly a downhill run stopper, because depending on the coverage that you play, theyâll get in matchups,â Brady said. âYouâve got to have that versatility, that athleticism to be able to do both. Weâve got to be able to stop the run. Youâve got to find that happy medium of, canât be too small, or you canât fit the run, but you also canât be too stiff that you canât cover in the pass game. Hard to find.â
Cincinnati's Jake Golday is one of the most versatile linebackers in this draft class.
Terrel Bernard and , who right now would line up as the Billsâ inside linebackers in Leonhardâs 3-4 scheme, did not provide effective versatility on a consistent basis over the past two seasons. Itâs why the Bills really need to draft a linebacker this week who, if they canât earn a starting job this season, can at the very least provide depth and become a starter in 2027 when Williams could be leaving via free agency.
The Bills are prioritizing versatility and athleticism in linebackers, aiming for players who can effectively stop the run and cover in the pass game.
Joe Brady is an offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, recognized for his strategic approach to exploiting opposing linebackers' weaknesses.
Joe Brady stated that versatility is crucial in linebacker evaluations, as modern offenses create mismatches that require linebackers to excel in both run stopping and pass coverage.
Josh Allen completed 10 of 13 attempts for 112 yards against Tyrel Dodson's coverage in two games last season, highlighting Dodson's struggles in pass coverage.

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Just about anyone the Bills would want - outside of Ohio Stateâs Sonny Styles who will be long gone - should be available when they pick 26th in the first round, though they may not believe the value in an off ball linebacker is worth it that high.
Unfortunately, they donât have a second-round pick where several viable candidates will surely come off the board. Barring a trade, and assuming they stay put in the third round with pick No. 91, here are five players who could be available who could help the defense.
Itâs probably a stretch to think Golday will still be sitting there late on Friday night, but if he is, and linebacker is the target at this spot, Brandon Beane should not hesitate. Golday brings the type of versatility Leonhard would crave as someone who did a little bit of everything at both Central Arkansas for two years and Cincinnati for two more.
At various points he operated as an outside linebacker, a middle linebacker, an edge rusher, and even a slot defender. Heâs the type of chess piece that Leonhard could have fun with because heâs got the size at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, plus the speed that saw him run the 40-yard dash in a decent for that size 4.62 seconds at the combine.
âGolday is still unrefined in several areas, but his size, speed and ascending skill set are reasons to be encouraged,â said The Athleticâs Dane Brugler. âHe projects as an immediate special teamer who can compete for defensive snaps during his rookie year.â
Trotter is another player like Golday who could certainly find his way into the second round and be out of reach for the Bills. You canât ignore the bloodlines as his father, Jeremiah, was an All-Pro linebacker for the Eagles, and his brother, Jeremiah Jr., currently plays primarily as a special teamer for the Eagles.
The 6-foot-1, 240-pounder is the quintessential thumper in the run game but he needs to make notable progress in pass coverage, meaning heâs pretty much a carbon copy of Williams, only younger. Until he cleans that up heâs probably going to be an early-down player who comes off the field in passing situations.
âTrotter needs to be protected in coverage and he may not start as a rookie, but heâs an effective run defender with enough natural ability to develop into a starter,â said Todd McShay of The Ringer. âHis game has shades of another Missouri linebacker, Nick Bolton (Chiefs). Trotter isnât as instinctive as Bolton in coverage, but they are aggressive run defenders who show flashes rushing the passer.â
Born in Berkeley, California, he didnât start playing football until high school and wasnât a full-time linebacker until 2023, his third season playing in his backyard at Cal. He led the team with 92 tackles and then transferred to TCU where he was a reserve in 2024 and then a starter in 2025 when he took a huge leap with 130 tackles, 11 for lost yardage including four sacks.
Heâs still growing into the position, but his athleticism at 6-foot-2 and 234 pounds is going to entice teams in the draft because he will be a force on special teams with the chance to compete for defensive snaps as a rookie. His 4.47 in the 40 at the combine was second-best behind only Styles among linebackers, and his 10-yard split of 1.59 seconds was fifth-best.
âElarms-Orr is a well-built linebacker with above-average athleticism but problematic instincts,â said Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. âHe has the speed and athleticism to get to the football from sideline to sideline. However, he frequently struggles with recognizing blocking schemes and too often loses track of play development. He will need improved processing but should dial in as a backup with a full-time role on special teams.â
He began his college career playing baseball for the Ducks and walked on to the football team in 2022 and immediately saw action in 12 games as a special teamer. He stuck with both sports through 2024 and became a 13th-round draft pick of the Houston Astros in 2024, but he decided to return to Oregon to play football in 2025 and football will be his full-time sport now.
In his last two seasons he started 28 of 29 games and was a second-team All-Big 10 selection who totaled 230 tackles, 13.5 for lost yardage. Heâs another player who is a force against the run, even though he doesnât have great size at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds.
In a fun note from Brugler, Boettcher played quarterback and safety for his Pop Warner team which was named the Buffalo Bills.
âBoettcher is a classic âsee-ball, get-ballâ defender, with the speed and play personality that will make him a natural fit in an NFL linebacker room,â Brugler said. âAlthough he will need the right situation to become a starter, he will be an immediate and impactful special teamer.â
According to several analysts, one of Elliottâs premier traits is his professional work ethic and leadership ability. On that latter point, in both seasons he played at Arizona following a transfer from New Mexico State, he was voted to the teamâs Pat Tillman Leadership Council, a prestigious honor.
At 6-foot-1 and 233 pounds heâs not quite the athlete that Elarms-Orr and Boettcher are, but he overcomes some of that with a motor that never quits. Heâs probably not going to push for a starting job as a rookie, but heâll be a solid special teamer.
In his Audibles & Analytics newsletter, Jon Ledyard wrote, âElliottâs physicality into contact is a plus that should sustain in the NFL given his size and length. Itâs unbelievable how he bounces off blockers and finds his gap. He has elite balance through contact and ability to find the ball while delivering blows to blockers. He does need to work on disengaging when an opponent does lock him up (finding leverage points, clubbing hands, etc). But that so rarely happens because Elliott is a constant moving target, and even when you hit him, he uses the block like bumper lanes in bowling to launch into the space he needs to occupy.â
Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for more than four decades including 37 years as the full-time beat writer/columnist for the D&C. He has written numerous books about the history of the team, and he is also co-host of the BLEAV in Bills podcast/YouTube show. He can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com, and you can follow him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Buffalo Bills may target these 5 linebackers in Day 2 of NFL draft