Buffalo Bills linebacker Dorian Williams has spent the majority of his short NFL career lurking in the shadows of his teammates.
Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, and even second-year man Joe Andreessen have stolen the spotlight away from Williams, who is entering his third season after being selected with the 91st overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Tulane University.
At the time, many in the media and the fanbase found the pick somewhat confusing – not because of the 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker’s ability, but because of the logjam of talent ahead of him on Buffalo’s roster.
Regardless of the outlook, Williams has steadily jugged along.
When needed last season, the former 2023 Cotton Bowl defensive MVP replaced Matt Milano rather seamlessly in 11 starts while his veteran teammate recovered from a torn bicep suffered in training camp, racking up a team-high 117 total tackles, five tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble for the season.
Some thought that meant a larger role for the Indian Land, S.C., native in 2025, but so far that hasn’t happened.
The Bills brought in longtime veteran and former Carolina Panther Shaq Thompson late this offseason and much focus was paid yet again to the aforementioned “Buffalo Joe” this summer.
However, with Thompson coming off a soft tissue injury and Andreessen being a main cog on special teams, the time is once again here for Williams to step in for the oft-injured Milano, who has been ruled out for tonight’s game after suffering an undisclosed pectoral injury against the New York Jets last Sunday.
The rollercoaster ride that has been the third-year pro’s career thus far may deter some, but not Williams.
He just takes everything in stride, pulling lessons from each opportunity.
“(It’s) just how we work. How we go about our daily business. How we watch film. How we do everything (in this building),” Williams said following Tuesday’s practice at One Bills Drive.
“You pick up little keys from everybody – the older guys, the younger guys. You kind of just take that (mindset) into every week. You never know every week. It could be play one, play 100 – you never know when you have to go in, so you have to prepare the same every week.”
It’s a very workman-like approach for the 24-year-old, and one that has served him well so far early on in his career.
In order to continue on an upward trajectory, however, Williams must continue to remain focused and diligent in his on-field processing. Known for an relentless motor, the former first-team All-AAC selection can at times be tripped up by misdirection, leading to overpursuing and missing or being late on his assignments.
Relying on the wisdom of veterans like Shaq Thompson may help correct those mistakes.
“He’s brought a lot. That’s another brother in our room,” Williams said when speaking of Thompson and what the veteran’s presence has meant to the team.
“He’s ‘Unc’, you know what I mean? We love him, man. He’ll teach you everything. He’s there for you as a person and as a player, as well.”
With Milano’s injury timeline unknown at this point, Thompson will no doubt be a valuable resource for the young linebackers on the roster.
However, if it is Williams on the field starting opposite of Terrel Bernard and not Thompson, there’s only so much that can be done from the sidelines when the lights come on.
Facing a desperate Miami Dolphins team looking to avoid a dreaded 0-3 start, it’s likely that head coach Mike McDaniel will have some tricks up his sleeve come kickoff time.
Regardless, it will be up to Williams and company to keep things straight in front of them and not get distracted by any “eye candy.”
While that’s easier said than done, the young linebacker feels ready to step in alongside Bernard once again.
“I think our relationship has always been good … We’ve spent a lot of time on the field together, for sure,” Williams said.
“You can never overlook any NFL team, you know? It’s the NFL. (Miami has) a lot of explosive key (pieces). We’re going to have to stay on top of those guys and stay on our keys, and stay true to who we are. All the speed they have – they’re one big play away from a touchdown, one guy out of the gap from a touchdown. So, (it’s about) just staying true to ourselves.”
Kickoff between the Bills and Dolphins is slated for 8:15 p.m. ET tonight in Orchard Park, N.Y.. The game will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video.
Editor’s babble: Many thanks to John Green for his contributions to our blog. You can also find John on Xwitter @JGreen_PRsports.
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