It’s been over a week since the start of the NFL Draft took place and while there is still so much up in the air on how the roster for the Buffalo Bills, fans should be excited for the 2025 season. No one can deny the fact that Brandon Beane brought in a solid draft class, especially on defense. Maybe they could have done more on offense (only three offensive selections), but the defense is what needed the most help.
The Bills were very aggressive in this draft. They traded up twice; once in the second round to acquire defensive tackle T.J. Sanders and in the fourth round to acquire defensive tackle Deone Walker. That was after Buffalo stayed at No. 30 and selected cornerback Maxwell Hairston. Later on, the Bills also drafted edge rusher Landon Jackson and two cornerbacks in Jordan Hancock and Dorian Strong.
As for the offense, the Bills’ first selection was tight end Jackson Hawes who is more of a blocking tight end. Then they drafted offensive lineman Chase Lundt and wide receiver Kaden Prather. Clearly, Beane felt comfortable about the offense to have limited picks on that side of the ball.
You can make the argument for almost any of the Bills’ top picks as to why they are the best player that was drafted to Buffalo. Hairston has the speed to add to the secondary. Sanders can play anywhere in the interior of the defensive line, and Walker is going to bring attention on double teams with his massive frame. However, Trevor Sikkema from Pro Football Focus (PFF) has a different pick for his favorite pick by the Bills.
PFF has EDGE Landon Jackson as favorite pick made by Bills
"This was such a good Bills-type draft pick. Jackson is a young, more athletic version of the player they wanted A.J. Epenesa to be. He has great length and good explosiveness and is stout against the run, having earned an 88.8 PFF run-defense grade in 2024. He can slot in anywhere from 4i defensive end to stand-up outside linebacker."Trevor Sikkema, PFF
The Bills took Jackson in the third round out of Arkansas and he not only can be the successor to Joey Bosa, but he actually might be the reason why someone like A.J. Epenesa could be out of Buffalo before 2025. Not because Epenesa isn’t talented enough, but he is on a one-year deal and he has reached his ceiling as a player.
Jackson is a lot of Epenesa. He’s lengthy and can bend to get past big offensive tackles. Just like Sikkema stated, Jackson can lineup off the edge or even lineup as an outside linebacker.
Putting him in a room that has Greg Rousseau and Joey Bosa is a near-perfect start for Jackson’s career. Not to mention, Bosa is only on a one-year deal so unless Bosa has an All-Pro season in 2025, Jackson has the chance to be a full-time starter in 2026.