The Buffalo Bills had two fifth-round picks back in April, the first being Jalon Kilgore, the second being Zane Durant. Buffalo seems to have a type, as Durant seems to be like franchise DT Ed Oliver, both undersized yet speedy defensive linemen. Durant likely slots in as a DE behind Ed Oliver in the Bills’ new 3-4 defensive scheme, allowing him to learn from one of the NFL’s best undersized pass rushers.
Player Summary
Blitz Sports Media NFL analyst Ryan Linkletter (@blitzlink_) had this to say about Zane Durant during the draft process.
“Durant brings disruptive interior quickness and a first step that consistently penetrates gaps. In one-gap systems, he flashes legitimate pass-rush upside and backfield disruption ability. However, anchor strength and double-team resistance remain concerns that limit his early-down projection. His tape shows high-level athletic traits paired with technical inconsistencies that must be refined. When his hand usage is sharp, he’s difficult to block one-on-one. Durant fits best in attacking fronts that prioritize interior penetration over two-gap control.”
Durant’s College Stats
Zane Durant joined the Nittany Lions as a three-star prospect. After playing a limited role during his freshman season, he gradually improved year after year and became a solid prospect at the next level. The following statistics are available via Chad Reuter, NFL Draft Researcher/Analyst with NFL Media since 2011, as linked in Durant’s draft profile below.
- 2022: Played in all 13 games as a reserve (5 tackles, sack).
- 2023: Played in all 13 games with 11 starts (17 tackles, 5.5 TFLs with 2 sacks).
- 2024: Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference. Started all 16 games (42 tackles, 11 TFLs with 3 sacks, PBU).
- 2025: Honorable Mention All-Big Ten. Started 12 games (25 tackles, 4.5 TFLs with 4 sacks, INT, 2 PBUs).
- Miscellaneous: Father, Marcus, played football at Florida A&M. Sister, Arielle, played basketball at FIU. Sister, Gabrielle, ran track at UCF.
NFL Combine
Athleticism. That’s the name of the game as Buffalo transitions to a 3-4 defense under Jim Leonhard. Even in the fifth round, the Bills continue to prioritize prospects with high athletic scores at the combine. Zane Durant had the second-highest athleticism score with a 92. Durant also ran an impressive 4.75 at the combine, similar to Ed Oliver’s 4.73 during his pro day.
Current DE Room
Zane Durant was drafted as a DT, but he is currently backing up Ed Oliver at DE in the new scheme. Oliver is the clear starter at RDE, with Durant behind him and Tommy Akingbesote third on the depth chart. On the opposite side, T.J. Sanders, the Bills’ second-round pick in 2025, is starting at LDE with Phidarian Mathis backing him up, with Zion Logue and Kody Huisman third and fourth on the depth chart.
Durant doesn’t appear to have an immediate threat to not earn the backup role so long as he has an alright camp, as I expect some of the others to just be placed on the practice squad or cut following the preseason.
Expectations
As we get into these later picks, these players aren’t likely to see much playing time except in goal-line formations and/or on special teams. I do fully expect Durant to make the 53-man roster as he’s the perfect archetype of what Ed Oliver is. Buffalo likely moves Logue to the practice squad and cuts Akingbesote and Huisman, which leave Mathis and Durant as the two backup DEs.
Like the Bills’ other fifth-round pick, Durant most likely doesn’t see much playing time unless an injury happens, and he only plays in goal-line formations and on some special teams. All that being said, Ed Oliver missed significant time last season, so I expect Durant may have a few spot starts if Oliver isn’t 100%. Durant finishes the season with a handful of starts, 9 tackles, 4TFLs, and 1.5 sacks.
Recap
The Buffalo Bills selected Zane Durant at pick 181, which is about where he was expected to go. Buffalo’s new defensive coordinator, Jim Leonhard, will get the absolute most out of this kid, who appears to be a replica of Ed Oliver, just not as fine-tuned as Oliver was coming out.
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