The Buffalo Bills have time and time again found themselves floundering in the playoffs against the Kansas City Chiefs. This past season's most recent episode came in the AFC Championship game, and each and every move the Bills make serves to beat the Chiefs.
Over the last two seasons, linebacker Matt Milano has started just nine games. He's forced the linebacker depth of the Bills to step up on multiple occasions, and it's routinely been an issue for the team.
Terrel Bernard was named a team captain and given a contract extension this offseason, but he's another linebacker who has had injury troubles, missing four games last season. The team has Michael Hoecht in their back pocket, but he seems to be more of a break-in-case-of-emergency option at linebacker.
Perhaps there's an option soon to be readily available that's quite local. That option would be University of Buffalo Bulls linebacker Shaun Dolac, who will be available in the upcoming NFL Draft.
In spite of leading the nation in tackles while also contributing six sacks and five interceptions, Dolac was not invited to the Senior Bowl or NFL Draft Combine. Dolac was once seen as an undrafted free agent candidate, but after an incredible senior day for the Bulls, he could see himself as a Day-3 pick.
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Dolac posted an unofficial 40-time of 4.55, a ventail of 35.5 and 25 reps on the bench press. Of his run time, Dolac said "I guess everybody kind of saw how, how fast I can run". Were he invited to the combine, Dolac would have found himself ranked in the top seven in multiple drills.
Using his Pro Day Numbers, Dolac scored a 9.24 Relative Athletic Score, with great-elite grades in everything but size.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane has a history of fifth-round selections that have turned out to be gems, inlcuding the aforementioned Milano who was a First Team All Pro selection when healthy. Wideout Khalil Shakir, who earned a contract extension this offseason, was another fifth-round pick by Beane.
Dolac would slide in nicely in the Bills' defensive scheme and would provide much needed depth on the inside.
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This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 8:19 AM.