The Buffalo Bills place a huge priority on athleticism when it comes to evaluating linebackers. Perhaps this is obvious, as every team prefers plus athletes at linebacker to the alternative. The two-down thumper at linebacker (think Brandon Spikes) is going the way of the Dodo, as teams would rather have three-down players who can play the run and the pass equally well.
The Bills play a nickel defense so often that it’s essentially their base, so the team spends more time with two linebackers on the field than it does with three. The ability to play either of those two linebacker spots certainly helps one to become more valuable to the defense, especially as a reserve.