Summary

Matt Milano was selected in Round 5 (#163 Overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Boston College. Milano finished his collegiate career with 172 total tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 5 interceptions, and 14 passes defended, showcasing a rare blend of range and playmaking ability. In the NFL, Milano has developed into one of the league’s premier off-ball linebackers, serving as a cornerstone of Buffalo’s defense. Through the 2024 season, he has accumulated 600+ career tackles, 70+ tackles for loss, 15+ sacks, 10+ interceptions, and 40+ passes defended, consistently impacting games at all three levels. Milano earned First-Team All-Pro honors (2022), multiple Pro Bowl selections, and was a driving force behind Buffalo’s sustained defensive success. He is widely regarded as a high-character, intelligent, and relentless competitor, praised for leadership, preparation, toughness, and accountability within the locker room.

Strengths

• Elite Coverage Linebacker: Exceptional instincts and fluidity in man and zone coverage (7.36 Coverage grade in 2025). Effective on early downs, sub-packages, and third downs.

• Blue Collar Playmaker: Diagnoses plays quickly; anticipates route concepts and run schemes. Creates turnovers and negative plays consistently.

• Range & Speed: Sideline-to-sideline pursuit and closes space rapidly one he clicks and closes on his target. Strong angles and secure wrap-up technique.

• Blitz Ability: Times pressures well and is an effective finisher when sent. Plays with edge and urgency and sets defensive tone when sent to crash down.

Weaknesses

• Size vs. Power: Severely undersized (1.88 Measurables score) will greatly limit his Analytics Score ceiling. Can be challenged by downhill power run schemes.

• Block Shedding: Relies on quickness rather than strength when taking on linemen. Best in pursuit rather than stack-and-shed situations.

• Durability Concerns: Injury history requires load management. Has missed a ton of time as his career has evolved with a mix of both upper and lower body serious injuries.

• Physical Toll: Aggressive style increases wear over time. Needs to play with less reckless abandon but this may be counterintuitive to his DNA.

Outlook

Milano is an ideal fit for modern, nickel-heavy defensive systems that emphasize speed, coverage flexibility, and playmaking from the linebacker position. In Buffalo’s defense, he thrives as a WILL linebacker, where his instincts and range allow him to neutralize backs and tight ends while still contributing as a blitzer and run defender. His presence enables Buffalo to disguise coverages and stay versatile against spread offenses. As long as he stays healthy and available, Milano projects as a high-end every-down linebacker with All-Pro impact. While durability will be an ongoing consideration, his intelligence, instincts, and competitiveness give him a high floor and elite ceiling. As long as he remains on the field, Milano is a defensive difference-maker capable of anchoring a championship-caliber unit and elevating those around him.