When the NFL Draft rolls around, one of the most overlooked factors is seeing whose future could be in trouble with a team. Players underperform every year and it may cause a front office to look at other options to bring in better players who can get the job done. The Buffalo Bills may have a situation like on their hands with one specific player that was just drafted last year.
In the third round last year, the Bills drafted Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson which was viewed as a bit of a steal in the third round. In three true seasons as a starter at Arkansas, Jackson racked up 26.5 sacks which included 13.5 sacks in 2024 and 9.5 sacks in 2025. The fact that he had fallen to the third round was very shocking.
Players drafted in the first three rounds tend to be somewhat impactful players at some point in their first season, if not immediately. The Bills have struggled to develop a solid pass rush and there was a little bit of hope that Jackson could show signs of promise as the 2025 season went. However, almost the complete opposite happened.
Jackson only dressed for three games for the Bills and suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Miami Dolphins in Week 10. He didn’t record a single tackle, sack, forced fumble, nothing. It was a disaster of a first season for Jackson.
Now granted, the chances of him making it onto the gameday roster consistently was not great due to other edge rushers that provided more spark and versatility. Then again, as a third-round pick, there should have been more from Jackson.
Landon Jackson's future in Buffalo could be in doubt after 2026 NFL Draft
While Brandon Beane is still in Buffalo’s draft room, Sean McDermott is no longer there. It’s now Beane and Joe Brady running the show. With a new coaching regime under Brady, the picks need to be made that will best fit Brady’s offense and Jim Leonhard’s defense. Going from a 4-2-5 to a 3-4 defense is a big adjustment.
The Bills will need more edge rushers, but they need players who will consistently bring the edge and create pressure. The fact that Jackson wasn’t able to get more playing time, or capitalize on the opportunities he did get is concerning.
It would not be surprising to see the Bills bring in an edge rusher or two in the draft later this month. If that does indeed happen, that could put Jackson in a tough spot to make the roster at all. Even though he shouldn’t be judged based off of one year in a scheme that won’t even be in place now, the NFL is a business and if players aren’t living up to expectations, then it’s time to find someone else that will.