The linebacker spot is the lungs, the core… the heart of a defense. While the Buffalo Bills have enjoyed change within their second level this spring via the departure of Tremaine Edmunds, the 2023 NFL Draft could provide the answer to one of the biggest questions for Bills head coach Sean McDermott.

A versatile defender that makes his money on passing downs, Tulane’s Dorian Williams, as was the draft class’ linebacker group as a whole, was a tick underrated during the evaluation process. While the throwback style of heavier, downhill, run-defending ‘backer has slowly become more and more rare as the seasons wear on, talents like Williams, whose man cover skills should see him earn snaps early, have become a necessity for teams.

Although Tulane finished within the AP Top 25 at season’s end—culminated by a Cotton Bowl win over the USC Trojans—Williams’ game remained out of the spotlight due to the offensive tandem of quarterback Michael Pratt and running back Tyjae Spears. A twitched-up second-level roamer whose tapered jersey and wrist tape/glove combo draws your attention right away, working next to Matt Milano should present him a bridge over troubled water most young linebackers aren’t granted with to start their career. For most rookie ‘backers, there is little time to get your feet wet on Sundays before Derrick Henry or Nick Chubb have their pads below yours in the hole. It’s a tough welcoming period for many—embarrassing plays on tape are aplenty. But for Williams—a talent who by no means will be asked to replace Edmunds right away—he could progress into the WILL linebacker the Bills think he could be for the long haul. The tools and traits are there for him to open eyes in Orchard Park this winter alongside one of the game’s best.

An athlete who will work backward on his game this summer, meaning his work against countering linemen in the run will come second to his ability in both man and zone, don’t be surprised when the former standout for the Green Wave feeds off Milano to showcase one of the more athletic and productive linebacker duos in all of football.