The Bills continued their defensive revamp with a defender-heavy haul in the 2025 NFL Draft. Third-round pick Landon Jackson believes his fit in Buffalo will allow him to contribute as a rookie.
"I feel like I'm gonna go in and play instantly and show them that I'm a great pick for them," Jackson said after being selected by the Bills, via the team's website. "I love the way they have me schemed up. They've got me playing true d-end, five-technique, all the way to wide-nine. So, I'm just excited to get out there and get ready to ball."
Jackson's collegiate tenure at Arkansas earned him a reputation as one of the SEC's standout pass rushers, producing consecutive 6.5-sack seasons against the nation's top offensive line talent. The 22-year-old furthered his draft stock with a stellar performance at the Reese's Senior Bowl, where he strip-sacked Jaxson Dart, the Giants' No. 25 overall pick.
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah tabbed Jackson as the No. 43 overall prospect of the 2025 class. Bills general manager Brandon Beane nabbed him at No. 72 overall.
"High character, DNA, a longer athletic dude, a lot of sacks, went against a lot of premium talent in the SEC, and had a lot of production," Beane said of Jackson. "He knows how to rush … he's just got feel, instincts, awareness."
Buffalo bolstered its defensive front during the 2025 offseason, signing Joey Bosa, Mike Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi in free agency. Following a first-round selection of Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston, Beane continued tending to the defense with his next four picks, drafting South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, Jackson, Kentucky DT Deone Walker and Ohio State CB Jordan Hancock in consecutive rounds.
The newcomers join a unit governed by head coach Sean McDermott and featuring Terrel Bernard, Taron Johnson, Matt Milano, Ed Oliver and Gregory Rousseau.
Jackson looks to contribute in Buffalo as he did in Arkansas by getting after the quarterback, producing tackles for loss and flying around the field like the four-time Pro Bowler he models his game after.
"One guy is Maxx Crosby," Jackson said. "He's a dog. He's a high motor player. He knows how to fly around in the pass game and get after the quarterback. And then in the run game he knows how to set an edge and be a dominant defensive end…I feel like we have a lot of similarities with body type and play style."
Following another disappointing postseason appearance after claiming their fifth consecutive AFC East title, the Bills' offseason focus was clear. Jackson feels he can be an instant help to get the club over the hump.
"At the end of the day, Buffalo is a winning program right now," Jackson said. "I'm excited to go to a team that has the opportunity to win a Super Bowl. I feel like I can do a lot to help the defense.
"I want to win. I feel like Buffalo's going to do that."
