As we close in on the 2025 NFL Draft, it’s very important to watch what prospects the Buffalo Bills have been linked to. Whether it’s pre-draft visits to Buffalo, virtual interviews, private workouts, dinners, or pro-day meetings, every clue helps us piece together what rookies could be joining the reigning AFC East champs.
Smaller-name prospects like Billy Bowman Jr. or Dorian Strong are just as important as big-name guys like Trey Amos or Isiah Bond. However, the coolest one so far goes to a Buffalo native.
The Bills have reportedly held a private workout with kicker Tristian Vandenberg. The 6’4” 227lbs born and raised Western New Yorker attended Canisius High School. He played two seasons of varsity football and graduated in 2019. He continued his career by attending Ohio University, a division one program in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
Vandenberg appeared in four games in his first two seasons there (redshirt freshman). He went 12-for-13 on extra points, good for a 92.3% extra point percentage, but just 2-for-6 on field goals for 33.3%. In 2023 he transferred to Memphis as a junior but didn’t record any stats. As a senior in 2024, he was 25-for-25 on extra points and 9-for-13 on field goals. He helped lead the Tigers to a win in the 2024 Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl.
In total, the former Canisius Crusader finished his collegiate career with a 97.6% extra point percentage (40-for-41), and a 55% field goal percentage (11-for-20). Vandenberg can punt also and owns a booming leg. At Memphis’ pro day, he clobbered a 64-yard field goal in front of scouts from all 32 NFL teams.
Kickers nowadays are DIFFERENT
— Kicker Update (@kickerupdate) March 28, 2025
Former Tigers kicker Tristian Vandenberg crushes a 64-yd field goal during @MemphisFB Pro Day. pic.twitter.com/8tZATd70aV
His local Buffalo Bills aren’t the only team interested in him; the Jets, Ravens, and Patriots have also held private workouts with him. Last summer, fellow local boy Joe Andreessen executed an incredible story and achieved the dream of all Western New Yorkers and Bills Mafia.
The Depew native, and lifelong Bills fan impressed as a try-out player during rookie mini-camp and earned a contract. He shined during training camp and notched two massive preseason games. He earned a spot on the 53-man roster, remained there the entire season, and is still on the team. Andreessen’s story will forever be etched as legendary among Bills fans. Now, Vandenberg can write his own legendary story, as the Bills are showing interest.
After his infamous game-tying missed field against the Chiefs in the divisional round two seasons ago, Tyler Bass has been shaky. After being fantastic and earning a big second contract from the Bills, he became untrustworthy.
The Bills even signed a kicker to the practice squad during the middle of the season, something they hadn’t done since Bass won the job in his rookie year. While credit to Bass, he was lights-out in the Bills’ playoff run to the AFC Championship; going 6-for-6 on field goals, and 7-for-7 on extra points. The team will definitely look to bring in some competition for him this summer.
Vandenberg isn’t the only kicker they’re showing interest in leading up to the draft. The Bills reportedly will host University of Pittsburgh kicker, Ben Sauls for a workout. Regarded as one of the top kickers in the draft, Sauls hit 122-of-124 extra points and 52-of-64 field goals in five seasons for the Panthers.
Since 2022, he’s been 119-for-119 on extra points. Don't be surprised to see the Bills spend one of their plenty late round picks on a kicker, or move quickly to secure an undrafted free agent.