Every year in the NFL, there are rookies that were not first round picks that end showing that they were steals later on in the draft. For example two seasons ago, Rams’ wide receiver Puka Nacua (5th round pick in 2023) showed the entire NFL world that the Rams got a major steal with him as he posted 1,486 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Damian Parson from Bleacher Report recently listed five rookies entering the 2025 season who could very well be underrated prospects and make a big impact right from the start. Not one single Bill was on that list, but one should be.
You could make an argument for someone defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, cornerback Jordan Hancock, heck maybe even first round pick Maxwell Hairston since he was drafted late in the first round. However, Buffalo’s third draft pick should be viewed as a potential star in the making based on his production and the setup he has going into 2025.
Landon Jackson is a prospect that no one outside of Buffalo is talking about
In the third round (No. 72 overall), the Bills somehow managed to steal Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson and it could pay off big time for them. In his last two years at Arkansas, Jackson has 13 total sacks and 44+ tackles in each season. He joins a room where he doesn’t have to shine right out of the gate because of the set up.
Greg Rousseau and Joey Bosa are the expected starters off the edge, and the Bills also have Javon Solomon and A.J. Epenesa to rotate in. However, Jackson’s ceiling is higher than both Solomon and Epenesa, and having the chance to learn behind Bosa and Rousseau is going to be extremely beneficial to him for his development.
Jackson is being overlooked and Parson’s list proves it. At one point, he was considered as a prospect who could sneak into the first round. Instead, teams (including the Bills) passed up on him until Buffalo drafted him early in the third round.
Don’t be surprised when Jackson starts to make an impact (whether it’s sooner or later) for the Bills and show that he can be a great complimentary player with Greg Rousseau for the future of Buffalo’s defense.