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Round 3, Pick 72
The Revolving Door at DE
Landon Jackson joins one of the NFLs best teams in the Buffalo Bills, by way of Arkansas, Jackson looks to carve a role out for himself during training camp, with Joey Bosa already having a minor setback in practice, Landon Jackson looks to capitalize at this opportunity and showcase his skills in front of defensive minded Head Coach Sean McDermott.
Buffalo has seen many faces lining up at defensive end over the past few years, from draft bust Shaq Lawson to future Hall of Famer Von Miller. It wasn’t until Gregory Rousseau, whom the Bills selected with the 30th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, that they finally had consistency at the position.
Following years of being led by Jerry Hughes, the Bills needed to get younger. They did with Rousseau, but that hasn’t been the issue in the past few seasons. The issue has been who plays opposite him. Von Miller gave fans a glimmer of hope, only to be once again let down. Joey Bosa is also great and younger than Von, but comes with health concerns and remains on a one-year deal.
Jacksons’ College Stats
Originally a Texas Longhorn, Landon Jackson would eventually transfer to the University of Arkansas in 2022. With 3 sacks in a limited role on the Razorbacks defense, Jackson would become a bona fide star over the next 2 seasons, where he would have back-to-back 6.5 sack seasons, raising his draft stock with that type of consistency. The Bills took a chance on Jackson for that very reason; he brings consistency at a position they’ve desperately needed.
It’s not just sacks that Landon Jackson specializes in; he is a disruptor on the defensive line. Since the 2023 season, Jackson has the 13 sacks mentioned above but also 93 tackles, 23 TFLs, 4 PBUs, FF, and a blocked kick. His 6’6″, 264 lbs frame allows him to be a potentially great special teamer, and he can move inside in goal line formations while developing into a potential starter if the Joey Bosa experiment doesn’t work out. The following statistics are available via Chad Reuter, NFL Draft Researcher/Analyst with NFL Media since 2011, as linked in Sanders’ draft profile below.
- 2021 (LSU): Played in 5 games on special teams (no statistics). Slowed with a knee injury suffered during his senior year of high school.
- 2022: Played in all 13 games with 7 starts (23 tackles, 3 sacks, PBU, FF, blocked kick).
- 2023: First-team All-SEC. Led team with 13.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks. Started all 12 games (44 tackles, PBU). Added 40 pounds to his frame before the season.
- 2024: Second-team All-SEC. Led team with 6.5 sacks. Tied for the team lead with 9.5 TFLs. Started 12 games (49 tackles, 3 PBUs, FF, blocked kick). Did not play in the team’s Liberty Bowl win over Texas Tech.
NFL Combine
Landon Jackson had an interesting combine. While ranking 13th in production score among DE/EDGEs, he came in 2nd in athleticism with an 85; for some perspective, generational prospect Abdul Carter had an 83. Another reason I believe he can translate to a top-tier special teamer early in his career as he develops. Jackson ran a 4.68 40-yard dash and a 1.65 10-yard split. Jackson’s vertical and broad jumps were a respective 40.5″ and 10’9″.
What to Expect
Landon Jackson may not see much playing time in year 1, other than special teams and goal-line packages that I project, but with the mentorship from Bosa and Rousseau, he could become a key contributor for the Bills down the road. His size and athleticism will not remain overlooked as he has all the tools to become elite from great players at the position to learn from, but one of the top defensive-minded Head Coaches in Sean McDermott. My rookie season predictions: 1.5 Sacks, 21 Tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 2 PBUs.
The majority of these stats may come early in this season while Bills DE Michael Hoecht is suspended and leaves and spot for Jackson to play in a rotational role with Joey Bosa. Jackson could also see significantly more playing time if Bosa isn’t healthy early in the season, and if he produces could leapfrog Hoecht on the depth chart.
Check out the most recent YouTube video where we discuss the Baltimore Ravens‘ newest addition in Jaire Alexander and if it’s enough to finally push them to a Super Bowl.
