‘Defensive tackle TJ Sanders was drafted on Friday by the Buffalo Bills in the second round (No. 41 pick overall). Of note: Bills general manager Brandon Beane was in Columbia for South Carolina’s Pro Day in mid-March.’
BillsBeat - April 26, 2025
Arkansas defensive end Landon Jackson selected by Buffalo Bills in 3rd round of NFL Draft
‘During his Pro Day interview, Jackson said he had heard from the Bills more than any other team. He said they had been in contact “around eight times,” and the Bills were one of his formal interviews at the NFL combine.’
Pleasant Grove’s Landon Jackson goes to Buffalo Bills in third round of NFL Draft
‘Pleasant Grove and University of Arkansas standout Landon Jackson was selected in the third round by the Buffalo Bills on Friday night during the NFL Draft at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.’
Maxwell Hairston Was the Ultimate Hype Man for Fellow NFL Draftees
‘In a cut-up shared by Lee K. Howard from CBS’s Kentucky affiliate, Hairston could be seen dapping the likes of Travis Hunter, Will Campbell, Ashton Jeanty, Mason Graham, and Shemar Stewart as they walked to the podium after being introduced by commissioner Roger Goodell.’
Bills make massive draft trade, land star defensive tackle
‘Sanders was one of the top pass rushers in the nation from the interior. He had nine hits on the quarterback, as well as five sacks and 19 hurries. He also put up an astronomical 90.3 true pass set pass rush grade, per PFF.’
Bills steal 16-sack star in 2025 NFL Draft
‘The Bills have drafted Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson in the third round of the NFL Draft. The former Razorback finished his collegiate career with 16 sacks, including consecutive seasons with 6.5. Putting him in a rotation with Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau, and A.J. Epenesa gives the Bills a very strong rotation of pass rushers.’
Bills first-round pick labeled as 'perfect' for Buffalo
‘”He’s a perfect scheme fit,” O’Bryan writes. “As with many NFL defenses, Bills head coach Sean McDermott switched to a two-high safety zone defense prior to last season. That scheme is a direct response to explosive passing plays, as it forces opponents to essentially beat you underneath with short-yardage plays. That bend but don’t break philosophy is similar to Kentucky’s defense, which also employs a zone coverage scheme. Hairston excelled in this system over the last few seasons, accounting for 6 interceptions and 89 tackles in three years in Lexington.”‘
Buffalo Bills NFL Draft grades: Cornerback Maxwell Hairston
‘”The Bills filled an obvious need with a player who has a path to a starting job and an opportunity to make plays in big games. Buffalo needed more speed on defense, and Hairston gives them more speed at the position than any player who’s lined up at cornerback in the McDermott era.”‘
Bills select defensive tackle T.J. Sanders with 41st overall pick in 2025 NFL Draft
‘The Buffalo Bills decided not to wait until pick 56 to make their first selection of the second round. Instead, they traded with the Chicago bears to move up to pick 41 and select defensive tackle T.J. Sanders out of South Carolina.’
Bills select defensive end Landon Jackson with 72nd overall pick in 2025 NFL Draft
‘Jackson began his career at LSU in 2021 before transferring to Arkansas where he would play the majority of his career from 2022-2024.’
Opinion: Capaccio: Bills stick to defense, and SEC, with first three picks
‘“How can you not respect the SEC and their track record?,” general manager Brandon Beane said Friday night after his picks were complete. “A lot of talent. Every year, every draft. A lot of premium players. Not that that’s the only league, but it’s a pretty loaded division.”’
Buffalo Bills make splash in second round, trade up for DT T.J. Sanders
‘”It was hard to hold them tears in,” Sanders said Friday night about getting the call from the Bills. “It’s life changing, all the things we’ve been through, just happy to get that call, it was exciting.”‘
Buffalo Bills add size and versatility with edge rusher Landon Jackson in 3rd round of NFL Draft
‘Jackson checks off the edge need, while 2nd round pick TJ Sanders fills a defensive tackle spot, and first-round pick Maxwell Hairston takes care of the cornerback need.’
'A dream come true': Maxwell Hairston says he's ready to get to work with the Buffalo Bills
‘Hairston spoke about getting an opportunity to play with Josh Allen, where he got the nickname “Mad Max” and much more.’
4 things to know: Bills draft DT T.J. Sanders, DE Landon Jackson on Day 2
‘The focus on defense isn’t a surprise for the Bills. When I listed the team’s biggest draft needs following free agency, they were defensive tackle (check), cornerback (check), defensive end (check) and safety, followed by wide receiver, running back and offensive line depth … and maybe even a punter. That also jives with the team you saw on the field last season: The offense ranked second in scoring and sixth in yards per play, while the defense was 21st in both metrics.’