Injuries have ravaged the Buffalo Bills’ linebacker group this season. Can the front office add depth before the trade deadline?
Despite an offseason personnel upheaval, the Buffalo Bills have maintained their status as Super Bowl contenders. Although they are already on track to exceed expectations in what was thought as a transition year, general manager Brandon Beane should be aggressive leading up to Tuesday’s 2024 NFL trade deadline.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane is one fascinating potential target. Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News anticipated that the Bills will trade for Spillane in order to “clean up that mess” left by injuries to Buffalo’s two starting linebackers, Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard.
The Bills had already made a significant addition when they acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns. A similar defensive upgrade would put Buffalo’s roster in a favorable position for the rest of the season.
Bills Linked to Raiders LB Robert Spillane
Linebacker is Bills’ Biggest Deadline Need
Buffalo’s linebacker issues aren’t receiving enough focus locally, with even the team’s closest followers overlooking this clear weakness.
Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic identified the Bills’ top needs as “offensive line depth, edge rusher, safety, and defensive tackle.” Meanwhile, WGR’s Jeremy White ran an X poll on Buffalo’s primary target, listing options like safety, defensive line, and wide receiver—but not linebacker.
This lack of focus on the linebacker position likely comes from an overconfidence in the health of Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard.
Milano’s initial recovery timeline from a bicep injury projected a December return, but any setback could mean he misses the rest of the season. Even if he does make it back, his performance will be uncertain since he hasn’t played since October 8, 2023.
Bernard, on the other hand, has already missed three games due to pectoral and ankle injuries. Expecting him to be at full strength for the playoffs, especially with these recurring injuries by Week 9, might be unrealistic.
One thing is certain: the Bills can’t afford to enter a playoff game with Dorian Williams and Baylon Spector as starting linebackers. Williams has an overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 59.1, and Spector is at 40.0, making them one of the NFL’s weakest linebacker tandems when playing together.
The Bills’ top priority is clearly linebacker, with no other position coming close.
Analyzing Spillane’s NFL Track Record
Since going undrafted in 2018, Spillane has grown into a dependable starting linebacker. After a brief stint with the Tennessee Titans as a rookie, he found a more consistent role with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, where he began making a regular impact in the NFL.
The 28-year-old Western Michigan alum broke out with the Raiders in 2023, racking up 148 tackles, defending four passes, securing 3.5 sacks, intercepting three passes, and forcing a fumble over 17 games.
Spillane’s impressive performance has carried over into the first half of the 2024 season. Leading the league with 51 solo tackles, he’s earned an excellent 84.9 PFF grade in run defense while also contributing four passes defended and a sack.
He could be a perfect fit in Buffalo, where run defense has been a struggle. The Bills are currently tied for 25th in rushing yards allowed per carry (4.8).
While Spillane isn’t the sideline-to-sideline player that Milano and Bernard are, he brings a physical, punishing presence that Buffalo’s defense could benefit from. A direct replacement for Milano or Bernard likely isn’t available on the trade market, but Spillane’s style could fill a critical gap for the Bills.
Is Spillane the Right Target for Buffalo?
Spillane may not be an ideal fit, but Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd could be a stronger option. Lloyd’s versatility would make him more suited to take on critical responsibilities if Milano and/or Bernard are unavailable in the playoffs. If Lloyd is available, Bills GM Brandon Beane should consider making a call to the Jaguars.
Still, Spillane would undeniably be an upgrade over Williams and Spector. The Illinois native would also add value even if both Milano and Bernard are healthy, as he could step in during clear running situations, easing the load on slot cornerback Taron Johnson, who takes on a demanding role in Buffalo’s two-linebacker base defense.
Spillane’s acquisition wouldn’t require much, given he’s a pending unrestricted free agent and the Raiders are struggling at 2-6. A late-round pick swap would likely suffice, and his addition wouldn’t impact Buffalo’s 2025 salary cap.
Buffalo’s offense saw a boost from Cooper’s arrival, which opened up more opportunities for Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Dalton Kincaid. It’s no coincidence Josh Allen has had more open targets recently.
Adding Spillane could bring similar benefits to the defense, offering a low-risk, high-reward trade option.
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