Bills Bring in Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter for Pre-Draft Visit

The Buffalo Bills are looking to address a major need on the defensive line ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:33pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the overlapping forms and planes of a powerful defensive line, conveying the raw power and intensity of elite run defense.A cubist interpretation of a dominant defensive line anchoring a team's championship aspirations.Buffalo Today

The Buffalo Bills have brought in Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter for a pre-draft visit as they look to bolster their defensive line ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Hunter, a 6-foot-4, 330-pound run-stuffing tackle, is seen as a potential Day 2 target who could help improve the Bills' run defense, which was near the bottom of the league last season.

Why it matters

The Bills' defense struggled to stop the run in 2025, and adding a powerful, run-stuffing defensive tackle like Hunter could be a key piece in shoring up that weakness. Hunter's visit indicates the Bills are doing their due diligence on the position and could be looking to address it early in the draft.

The details

The Bills have reportedly brought in four nose tackle prospects for pre-draft visits, including Hunter, as they look to find the right fit to improve their run defense. Hunter, who transferred from UCF to Texas Tech, is known for his elite run-stopping ability and quickness for his size. He played in 52 games in college, recording 82 solo tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks.

  • The Bills' pre-draft visit with Lee Hunter took place in April 2026, just days before the upcoming NFL Draft.

The players

Lee Hunter

A 6-foot-4, 330-pound defensive tackle from Texas Tech who is known for his run-stopping ability and quickness for his size.

Brandon Beane

The general manager of the Buffalo Bills, who is overseeing the team's pre-draft preparations and evaluation of potential draft targets.

Jim Leonhard

The defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, who will be tasked with improving the team's run defense if they select a player like Lee Hunter in the draft.

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What they’re saying

“If the Bills are serious about reshaping the identity of this defense under Jim Leonhard, it starts up front. Adding a player like Hunter wouldn't just fill a hole on the roster; it would send a message. Buffalo knows exactly what went wrong against the run, and they're not willing to let it happen again.”

— Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports

What’s next

The Bills will continue their pre-draft evaluation process, including further interviews and workouts with potential draft targets like Lee Hunter. They will then make their selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, hoping to find the right pieces to improve their run defense and overall defensive performance.

The takeaway

The Bills' pre-draft visit with Lee Hunter underscores their commitment to addressing a major weakness on their defense - the inability to stop the run. By bringing in a powerful, run-stuffing defensive tackle like Hunter, the Bills are signaling their intent to reshape the identity of their defense and become a more physical, dominant unit in 2026 and beyond.