The Bills have many positions they need to address this offseason, and while linebacker is one of them, their solution is already on the roster.
With Jim Leonhard’s new 3-4 scheme and veteran linebackers Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson hitting free agency, it leaves a hole next to Terrel Bernard.
Luckily, they have 2023 third-round pick Dorian Williams waiting in the wings for a chance to play. After three seasons of developing and getting small amounts of playing time, it’s time to give him his chance.
A Project Player
Williams struggled to get consistent playing time his first three years in the league, due to former head coach Sean McDermott’s scheme and the linebacker talent in front of him.
Despite this, he remained productive when given opportunities following injuries to starters. While tackles aren’t the greatest stat to analyze a player’s effectiveness on the field, through the first five weeks of his sophomore season, Williams was leading the league in tackles.
For a second-year player to come in with limited experience and be such a sure tackler is rare. Williams would see his playing time take a dip later in the season when Milano returned from injury, but he still finished the season with 117 tackles.
While his 2024 season was impressive in only 11 starts, he came in 2025 without a guaranteed starting position. He would go on to play in 16 games, starting nine, and playing just 44.2% of the team’s defensive snaps.
Williams has proven in the past to be a reliable rotational player, but given the Bills’ current cap and roster situations, now is the best time to make him a full-time starter.
They believed in his potential enough to use a third-round pick on him, and he’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, which makes him a cost-effective option at the position.
Dorian Williams is Physically Gifted
Williams brings a unique blend of size and speed to the linebacker position. At 6’2 and 230 pounds, with 4.49 speed, Williams’ physical traits made him an intriguing prospect out of Tulane during the 2023 NFL draft.
When Williams was drafted by the Bills, he was viewed as an athletic linebacker who would fit well in the modern NFL.
He’s versatile — tackling is his strong suit and he can drop back into coverage to stick with running backs and tight ends.
While his coverage skills have left a little to be desired in his first three seasons, he’s proven to be a sure tackler and great run-stopper in limited opportunities thus far.
Going into his fourth NFL season at just 25-years-old, he has a ton of time left to develop. If he flourishes under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard in a scheme that fits his strong suits better, he will become a mainstay for the Bills.
The Offseason Plan
The Bills shouldn’t shy away from bringing in competition next to a potential full-time starter in Williams.
In a draft class that features elite linebacker talent on days one and two, like Sonny Styles, C.J. Allen, Jacob Rodriguez, Jake Golday, and Kyle Louis, the team still needs to bring in more talent at the position.
Bernard and Williams are a good inside linebacker pairing, but there isn’t much depth behind them. Even looking as far ahead as the 2027 season, the Bills potentially need a replacement for Williams.
The Bills taking on risk as Bernard is injury-prone and Williams is entering the last year of his rookie deal. The possibility that Williams plays well in 2026 and outprices himself from the team’s budget isn’t unlikely.
That’s why it’s important to get the most value out of him they can right now, while also being mindful of what comes next.
The Bills should absolutely trust Williams to take the next step in 2026.
He has all the tools to make it happen, and one more season with the team to prove it.
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