Extremely underrated NFL prospect is exactly who Bills fans should keep eyes on

Before you know, the NFL Draft will officially be open and that is when dreams become reality for many prospects who will wait to hear their names called as they get drafted. The Buffalo Bills are scheduled to pick at No. 26 overall so it will be a little bit before they make their first selection, assuming that they don’t trade up.

A need for them that not a lot of people are talking about is linebacker, and going into a new defensive scheme under Jim Leonhard, they are going to need fill out that position. Linebacker is one of three positions that no Bills fan should be surprised seeing Buffalo address in the first round. 

Along with linebacker, they also have a need for edge rusher, and adding another receiver as well despite acquiring D.J. Moore last month.

With the Bills set to pick late in the first round, there is one prospect that Buffalo has a great chance at adding to add to the linebacker room. It's someone who has started to slowly become a rising player in draft boards and could possibly get into the first round.

Bills fans must keep close eye on Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez

Tarringo Basile-Vaughan from NFL Mocks listed the Bills as one of the three perfect fits for Jacob Rodriguez, and with the defense that Leonhard wants to implement, Rodriguez would be an amazing fit.

"With Matt Milano still unsigned and looking unlikely to return to the Bills, the team must find a player who can replace that production aside from Terrel Bernard.  Rodriguez, who is great against the run, would instantly help improve a Bills’ run defense that was a weakness in the 2025 NFL season." said Basile-Vaughan.

While the Bills could run with Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams in the middle, Williams is heading into a contract year and who knows if Bernard is great schematic fit for Leonhard. He very well could be for now, but the Bills drafting Rodriguez would give them an immediate starter on a very cheap four-year deal who can set the tone with his playstyle.

With the Bills currently not set to pick in the second round, it’s extremely doubtful that Rodriguez would fall to No. 91 (Bills’ 3rd-round pick) so if they wanted to address linebacker early on and feel great about his potential, then it would make a lot of sense to draft him and get him on a contract that includes a fifth-year option.