What can AJ Klein do in his sophomore season at the Buffalo Bills?
Last off-season, the Buffalo Bills signed AJ Klein as a part-time starter in this defense. The Bills only have two linebackers on the field for much of their defensive snaps, but if they line up on a 4-3 front, Klein would be that third linebacker.
The move made sense as Klein has a lot of experience in this defense from his time in Carolina under Sean McDermott, the defensive coordinator.
That experience was a big boost as Klein was likely playing more than the Buffalo Bills had hoped as he had to stand in for the injured Matt Milano at various points during the season. Klein struggled early in the season, but improved as the season progressed and was even named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Los Angeles Chargers.
At the start of its second season, the Bills added a lot more depth, which could change Klein’s role in 2021.
profile
Position: linebacker
Age: 30
Height: 6’1 ″
Weight: 240 pounds
Years of experience: 9
2020 statistics
AJ Klein played in 11 games and ended the season with a total of 75 tackles, four defended passes, two forced fumbles and tied with five for the team lead in sacks.
Klein’s best stretch last season was between weeks 9 and 12, when he had two sacks against the Seattle Seahawks and then had consecutive games for a total of 10 tackles in games against the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers.
Expectations for the 2021 season with the Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills have a lot of depth on the linebacker position this year, and Leslie Frazier even mentioned it at the start of training camp. AJ Klein was an important part of this defense last year but has to earn that place this season.
In the end, I believe he’s part of the 53-man roster as he has the experience and the Buffalo Bills don’t gain much in terms of the salary cap by releasing him. If they cut it before the season, it would result in a dead cap of $ 5.6 million and only create $ 1.2 million in Cap Space.
The question will be whether or not one of the younger linebackers, like Tyrel Dodson or Tyrell Adams, will overtake Klein as a part-time starter.
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