There’s arguably no Buffalo Bills player with more eyes on him heading into week 3 of the preseason than Buffalo born, rookie linebacker, Joe Andreessen. Once an afterthought on the roster, Andreessen popped for fans and analysts alike with his play in week 2 vs the Pittsburgh Steelers. As he enters the preseason finale, Andreessen looks to build on his strong performance from last week and capitalize on playing time opportunities.
It was impossible to watch Bills vs. Steelers a week ago, and not notice Joe Andreessen making plays. His quick trigger, processing, feel for leverage, and straight-line speed allowed him to routinely shoot gaps vs the run, generate knockbacks vs offensive lineman, and make plays in space vs ball carriers. Per PFF, he finished the game with 8 solo tackles, 3 assists, and 5 stops. It was a strong individual performance, but also an important one given the state of the Bills linebacker room.
Javon Solomon sets the edge, & Joe Andreessen shoots the gap. Andreessen runs right through Frazier who is a physical & mauling capable center#Bills #BillsMafia #GoBills
— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) August 18, 2024
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Joe Andreessen ID’ing a screen & making a play in space
— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) August 18, 2024
-triggers on the run action, then reads the RB’s track + the blocking up front
-stays over the top vs the RG & keeps his outside arm free
-closes down on the RB#Bills #BillsMafia #GoBills
pic.twitter.com/0un5EUmHiB
Star linebacker Matt Milano suffered a torn bicep last week and is hoping to return in December. Depth linebacker Baylon Spector missed the Steelers game with a calf injury. And veteran linebacker Nicholas Morrow has missed time with a core muscle/groin injury. The Milano news put a spotlight on the Bills linebackers, and the other injuries allowed Andreessen the opportunity to step in and shine.
While his performance was strong, and encouraging, more sample size is needed to determine who Andreessen is, and what he’ll be this season. Especially from a coverage standpoint and with regard to change of direction. The regular season will see less spot drop zone coverage and more match/rules based coverage for the Bills, which aren’t easy things to nail as a rookie while also working on being efficient and accurate in overall pass game recognition. And despite strong athletic testing numbers, Andreessen is more of a heat-seeking missile than he is fluid in terms of stop-start ability.
You should expect Dorian Williams to start alongside Terrel Bernard once the regular season begins, but he won't necessarily have the spot locked down. If Williams is underwhelming from a processing standpoint like he was as a rookie in 2023, or in coverage like he has been in moments during this preseason, that could open the door for Andreessen (or another linebacker) to see reps instead. The preseason finale gives Andreessen another strong opportunity to lock down a roster spot and push himself up the depth chart.
