Buffalo Bills target breakout years for Deone Walker and Dorian Williams

The Buffalo Bills are counting on two young defensive players to develop under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s 3‑4 scheme. Defensive tackle Deone Walker, a 331‑pound fourth‑round pick from the 2025 draft, appeared in all 17 games his rookie season, recording 39 combined tackles, eight tackles for loss and one sack. The Bills plan to shift to a 3‑4 front, and Walker is expected to adapt to a new role while improving his run‑defending skills after shedding weight during the offseason.

Linebacker Dorian Williams, a 2023 third‑round pick entering the final year of his rookie contract, is competing for the starting inside‑linebacker job in the revamped defense. He must deliver a “monster” season to earn a new deal, facing competition from veteran Terrel Bernard and rookie Kaleb Elarms‑Orr. Williams, who played most games in 2024 as a special‑teams and injury substitute, logged 117 tackles and three fumble recoveries. His progress is also hampered by recent injury concerns, adding urgency to his performance this summer.