With the 72nd pick in the third round of the NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills have selected former Arkansas defensive end Landon Jackson. His pick came only two after the Detroit Lions picked up his teammate Issac TeSlaa.
Landon Jackson drafted by the Buffalo Bills
It seems like the Bills have consistently boasted a strong defensive line, and adding Jackson could be a significant boost for the storied franchise. He will be playing alongside seasoned veterans Joey Bosa and Greg Rousseau, who together have a combined 13 years of experience in the league.
Buffalo's star quarterback Josh Allen has gotten the Bills close to a super bowl, but they still haven't made it to the big game. Still, Buffalo has been one of the most consistent teams in the NFL over the last five or six years, and Jackson will benefit from that stability.
Jackson grew into one of the best edge players in the SEC in his three seasons with the Hogs. He racked up 116 tackles, 58 solo, in 37 games while making 26.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. He also forced two fumbles and broke up five passes.
Jackson's career at Arkansas
One of the biggest reasons Jackson started receiving the attention of NFL scouts was his massive game against Alabama in 2023. In Arkansas' 24-21 loss to the Tide, the Texarkansa native sacked Jalen Milroe 3.5 times and picked up an additional 7.5 tackles. However, Jackson's performance against Alabama was just the beginning of his rise to the NFL.
Landon Jackson.
— Buffalo Sports Talk (@BUFSportsTalk) April 26, 2025
Elite athlete.
Great size.
I love this pick. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/jUvIqfiS9p
After being named a preseason All-SEC player, Jackson faced setbacks in 2024, starting the season with only 11 tackles in the first four games with no sacks. But against Texas A&M, he returned to form with an eight-tackle, three-TFL, and two-sack game. His performance in the Reese's Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, where he recorded the highest vertical of any edge and the second-highest broad jump.