Fansided

5 bold predictions for the Buffalo Bills in 2018

By Rucker Haringey

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills looks on during the second quarter of a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills looks on during the second quarter of a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Tremaine Edmunds holds up a jersey and takes a photo after being chosen by the Buffalo Bills with the 16th pick during the first round at the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Tremaine Edmunds holds up a jersey and takes a photo after being chosen by the Buffalo Bills with the 16th pick during the first round at the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Tremaine Edmunds will start less than eight games

When the Bills spent a first round pick on Virginia Tech linebacker most people pencilled him in as the team’s Week 1 starter at middle linebacker. Don’t be too surprised if the talented rookie struggles to make an immediate impact in the NFL.

There’s no questioning his athletic ability, but his instincts still leave a lot to be desired. He isn’t the most cerebral player in the league. As such, he’s going to need a lot of reps in practice to really adjust to NFL schemes and personnel.

Don’t forget, whoever starts at inside linebacker for Buffalo next season is going to have big shoes to fill. Preston Brown left in free agency but he was credited with 144 tackles last season. He isn’t the most dynamic playmaker in the league, but he does an excellent job of making the tackles he’s supposed to in the box. That’s the first thing Edmunds will need to do at the next level.

McDermott is an excellent coach who will eventually be able to make Edmunds an above average middle linebacker. That doesn’t mean it’s going to go smoothly for him this season. Edmunds may begin the season on the starting lineup, but don’t be shocked if he spends some time on the bench after a few games. He isn’t the plug and play solution that many Bills fans expect him to be.

Home/Buffalo Bills