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NFL: Breaking down the 2015 Buffalo Bills

By Andrew Garda

Jan 14, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan speaks during a press conference as general manager Doug Whaley looks on at ADPRO Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan speaks during a press conference as general manager Doug Whaley looks on at ADPRO Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 30, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Nigel Bradham (53) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Nigel Bradham (53) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers

Starters: Preston Brown, Randell Johnson, Nigel Bradham

Depth: Andrew Hudson (rookie), Ty Powell, Tony Steward (rookie), AJ Tarpley (rookie), Jimmy Gaines

While not quite as great as the defensive line, the Buffalo Bills still feature what should be a very good group of linebackers.

Middle linebacker Preston Brown had a solid rookie season, and last season then-coach Doug Marrone put him on par with Kiko Alonso’s training camp. Brown played a ton of snaps and held up very well, compiling 109 total tackles (66 solo and 43 assisted) and could see a bit of an uptick in his second year—if runners can get past the interior of the defensive line.

Strongside Linebacker (or SAM) Nigel Bradham had a career year in 2014, with 104 tackles (66 solo and 38 assisted), 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception. He’s in a contract year, so you know he will be focused, though the Bills could get that settled before the season. There has been some talk about moving Bradham inside, but that may just be on some downs or in certain hybrid fronts.

Weakside linebacker (or WIL) Randell Johnson could be the player they move out, as he played very little last season and is still pretty raw (and was injury prone in college). He’s got a sixth round rookie and an undrafted free agent behind him on the depth chart so the team has to feel pretty good about him.

Tony Steward is the more intriguing of the two (and the one who was drafted) as he had two ACL surgeries while in college, which made it hard for him to reach potential which had him ranked as the top-rated linebacker in the country coming out of high school. He’s got some speed, and was projected as an interior linebacker but showed some explosion and speed at Pro Days. He could come off the edge if need be.

Again, this isn’t the murderer’s row the defensive line is, but it could be a very talented group.

Next: Secondary

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