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That’s great news. Matt Milano deserves all the accolades that are coming his way.
Unfortunately for the Edmunds haters, they rank Tremaine Edmunds #3.
ESPN gathers about 80 (for 2023) NFL professionals together every year since 2020 to rank each position. A reminder on how the process works…
Execs, coaches, players rank NFL’s top 10 off-ball linebackers for 2023
The experts ranking for 2023....
1. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
2. Roquan Smith Baltimore Ravens
3. Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears
4. Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills
5. Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints
7. Shaquille Leonard, Indianapolis Colts
8. Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs
9. C.J. Mosley, NY Jets
10. Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers
Edmunds has been ranked, by actual NFL professionals in the Top 10 of off-ball LB’s for the past several years…
2022 – Edmunds ranked #7
2021 – Edmunds ranked #8
2020 – Edmunds ranked #7
2023 sees Edmunds enjoying every single vote from ALL the NFL professionals placing him in the top 10. Quite the achievement. A true consensus of the experts.
Of course, the consensus around the NFL from the real, honest to goodness NFL PROFESSIONALS that KNOW what the heck they are talking about when it comes to evaluating talent have ALWAYS known and said that Tremaine Edmunds was one of the best off-ball LB’s in the NFL.
The Edmunds haters (curiously clustered mainly within supposed Buffalo Bills “fans”) have been wrong all the time, and they got their way by literally running one of the best LB’s off the team in a fit of ignorant pique.
While my premise has always been correct and always supported by real experts that have forgotten more about football than the haters ever knew.
Who is the next stellar player arrogant Bills “fans” who know a LOT less about football than they THINK they do (and a HELL of a lot less than real NFL Professionals) will run off the team?!?!?
Here’s hoping that Matt Milano finishes this career in Buffalo and continues with his stellar play.
Unfortunately for the Edmunds haters, they rank Tremaine Edmunds #3.
ESPN gathers about 80 (for 2023) NFL professionals together every year since 2020 to rank each position. A reminder on how the process works…
By way of refresher, here's how our process works: Voters give us their best 10 players at a position, then we compile the results and rank candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average, along with dozens of interviews, research and film-study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In total, more than 80 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions. We had several ties, so we broke them with the help of additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed.
Each section includes quotes and nuggets from the voters on every ranked player -- even the honorable mentions. The objective is to identify the best players right now for 2023. This is not a five-year projection or a career achievement award. Who are the best players today?
Each section includes quotes and nuggets from the voters on every ranked player -- even the honorable mentions. The objective is to identify the best players right now for 2023. This is not a five-year projection or a career achievement award. Who are the best players today?
Execs, coaches, players rank NFL’s top 10 off-ball linebackers for 2023
The experts ranking for 2023....
1. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
2. Roquan Smith Baltimore Ravens
3. Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears
4. Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills
5. Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints
7. Shaquille Leonard, Indianapolis Colts
8. Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs
9. C.J. Mosley, NY Jets
10. Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers
4. Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills
Highest ranking: 4 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 28 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Long a productive player, Milano reached elite status in 2022, earning All-Pro first-team honors and his first Pro Bowl citation.
Known for his pass defense, Milano had three interceptions and 11 pass deflections on zero touchdowns allowed over 67 targets last season. He added 12 tackles for loss and was also a key run supporter for the league's fourth-ranked rushing defense.
"He doesn't look imposing, but you look up at the end of the game and he's stuffed the stats in every area," an AFC scout said. "Been a productive player for a long time. Just has a ton of instincts and savvy."
Highest ranking: 4 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 28 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Long a productive player, Milano reached elite status in 2022, earning All-Pro first-team honors and his first Pro Bowl citation.
Known for his pass defense, Milano had three interceptions and 11 pass deflections on zero touchdowns allowed over 67 targets last season. He added 12 tackles for loss and was also a key run supporter for the league's fourth-ranked rushing defense.
"He doesn't look imposing, but you look up at the end of the game and he's stuffed the stats in every area," an AFC scout said. "Been a productive player for a long time. Just has a ton of instincts and savvy."
3. Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears
Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 9
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: 7
Edmunds showed his massive value in free agency -- the Buffalo Bills didn't extend him, and he still got $72 million over four years from the Bears when getting paid top dollar was hard for non-defensive linemen.
He didn't make enough splash plays to persuade Buffalo -- which already had big linebacker dollars allocated to Matt Milano -- to pay an over-the-top contract to keep him. Edmunds has just 6.5 sacks and five interceptions in five NFL seasons. But the Bills also knew they were letting an elite talent and home-grown player walk out, and that was not easy.
The two-time Pro Bowler started 74 regular-season games for Buffalo and has recorded at least 100 tackles every season he has played.
Evaluators say his talent is clear.
"He's such a presence out there with his size (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) and his range and ability to close on the ball that he affects the quarterback, makes him think twice about decisions," an NFL coordinator said. "You always know you have a Pro Bowl talent roaming the middle of the field when he's out there."
Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 9
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: 7
Edmunds showed his massive value in free agency -- the Buffalo Bills didn't extend him, and he still got $72 million over four years from the Bears when getting paid top dollar was hard for non-defensive linemen.
He didn't make enough splash plays to persuade Buffalo -- which already had big linebacker dollars allocated to Matt Milano -- to pay an over-the-top contract to keep him. Edmunds has just 6.5 sacks and five interceptions in five NFL seasons. But the Bills also knew they were letting an elite talent and home-grown player walk out, and that was not easy.
The two-time Pro Bowler started 74 regular-season games for Buffalo and has recorded at least 100 tackles every season he has played.
Evaluators say his talent is clear.
"He's such a presence out there with his size (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) and his range and ability to close on the ball that he affects the quarterback, makes him think twice about decisions," an NFL coordinator said. "You always know you have a Pro Bowl talent roaming the middle of the field when he's out there."
2022 – Edmunds ranked #7
2021 – Edmunds ranked #8
2020 – Edmunds ranked #7
2023 sees Edmunds enjoying every single vote from ALL the NFL professionals placing him in the top 10. Quite the achievement. A true consensus of the experts.
Of course, the consensus around the NFL from the real, honest to goodness NFL PROFESSIONALS that KNOW what the heck they are talking about when it comes to evaluating talent have ALWAYS known and said that Tremaine Edmunds was one of the best off-ball LB’s in the NFL.
The Edmunds haters (curiously clustered mainly within supposed Buffalo Bills “fans”) have been wrong all the time, and they got their way by literally running one of the best LB’s off the team in a fit of ignorant pique.
While my premise has always been correct and always supported by real experts that have forgotten more about football than the haters ever knew.
Who is the next stellar player arrogant Bills “fans” who know a LOT less about football than they THINK they do (and a HELL of a lot less than real NFL Professionals) will run off the team?!?!?
Here’s hoping that Matt Milano finishes this career in Buffalo and continues with his stellar play.
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