\u201cWilliams is that dude, and as the other linebacker starter next to Terrel Bernard while Milano nursed a biceps injury, Williams, playing a grand total of 58 percent of the defensive snaps, tallied 117 tackles, five tackles for loss, and a forced fumble,\u201d Trapasso wrote. \u201cThis hulking specimen has sub-4.5 speed and has learned the nuances of Sean McDermott\u2019s complex defense. Milano will likely begin the season as Buffalo\u2019s starting outside linebacker. Williams should mosey his way into increased time on the field as the season progresses in Year 3.\u201d<\/p>\n
His other choices for breakthrough seasons were Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> cornerback Cory Trice, Steelers tight end Darnell Washington and Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> tight end Brenton Strange<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bills\u2019 Dorian Williams Selected as 2025 Breakout Contender Williams was drafted as a reserve but he\u2019s still managed to make 34 appearances (13 starts) across his first two years with the Bills. He\u2019s recorded 157 total tackles, three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a pass defended in those contests.<\/p>\n The 23-year-old Tulane product has also played in all five of Buffalo\u2019s playoff games during that span. That\u2019s allowed him to gain valuable high-pressure experience. He\u2019s mostly responded well to the challenge, including an eight-tackle game against the Steelers in the 2023 Wild Card Round.<\/p>\n A guy I really like a lot is LB Dorian Williams, He has his flaws when it comes to the passing game. But I don\u2019t know anyone on the Bills roster is a better run defender.pic.twitter.com\/FYa6oKTAr4<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Bills Report (@BillsReport_) April 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Bills head coach Sean McDermott<\/a> doesn\u2019t want Williams to plateau after two solid seasons of development, though.<\/p>\n \u201cContinued improvement. We know who he is, and you talk about physicality\u2014he\u2019s as physical as there is on our football team,\u201d McDermott recently told reporters<\/a>. \u201cHe loves the noise. He loves contact. Now, it\u2019s can he continue to grow in playing the position, right?\u201d<\/p>\n It starts with making quicker reads to establish the correct pursuit angle. It\u2019s one area the South Carolina native has struggled at times in the NFL.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re up close to the line of scrimmage, the game moves faster and faster because of the indicators, the triggers,\u201d McDermott said. \u201cSo, the ability to process, you\u2019ve got to be able to process quickly and add up one plus one. And, he\u2019s really grown in that area, and I think he\u2019s closing that gap every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Where Linebacker Stands on Bills\u2019 Depth Chart<\/p>\n Buffalo only uses two linebackers in its base defense. Slot cornerback Taron Johnson stays on the field in all situations. It gives McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane<\/a> the option to carry as few as five linebackers on the team\u2019s final 53-man roster.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Bills recently signed veteran Shaq Thompson, which added battle-tested depth but also created a numbers crunch at the position. Milano, Bernard, Williams and Thompson are joined by Baylon Spector, Edefuan Ulofoshio and \u201cBuffalo Joe\u201d Andreessen<\/a>.<\/p>\n Welcome to Buffalo, Shaq Thompson \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/eSAU9pu7JH<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 BillsMuse (@BillsMusee) June 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n At least one, and possibly two, of those linebackers will get cut barring injuries. While Williams is almost assuredly safe, the competition for playing time behind Milano and Bernard is fierce. It\u2019s not a guarantee he\u2019ll be the first backup called upon if one of the starters gets hurt.<\/p>\n So, although that depth is good for Buffalo, it could limit Williams\u2019 true breakout potential.<\/p>\n What To Expect From Williams in Year 3<\/p>\n While Williams has occasionally flashed high-impact ability, he\u2019s lacked consistency. That\u2019s evidenced by his lackluster 61.6 Pro Football Focus<\/a> overall grade last season. It\u2019s part of the reason why the Bills probably opted to sign Thompson for additional insurance at the position.<\/p>\n So, is a breakout year possible? Of course. His size (6\u20192\u201d, 230 pounds), athleticism and aggressiveness give him the tools to become a key defensive piece for Buffalo. He still has a lot of work to do, however, most notably in terms of pursuit angles.<\/p>\n Some thought the Bills may move on from Matt Milano and pivot to Dorian Williams as the full-time starter at WLB next season. But Milano and the team restructured his contract and he\u2019s back for 2025. Here\u2019s what @Matt_Bove<\/a> and I had to say about it on the podcast! pic.twitter.com\/7XemtBNwtK<\/a><\/p>\n
\nAnalyzing Williams\u2019 Track Record in Buffalo
\n![\"Dorian](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Dorian-Williams-1024x683.jpg\")
Oct 14, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Dorian Williams (42) reacts to a missed field goal from New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein (9) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images<\/p>\n