Bills Reportedly Eyeing Defensive Tackle to Challenge T.J. Sanders

Texas Tech's Lee Hunter could provide a stout run-stopping presence to Buffalo's defensive line.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 7:33pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fractured, overlapping shapes of a football defensive line, conveying the conceptual idea of the Bills' efforts to rebuild their interior defensive front.The Bills' search for defensive line reinforcements could reshape the team's trenches ahead of the 2026 season.Buffalo Today

The Buffalo Bills are reportedly meeting with Texas Tech defensive lineman Lee Hunter, who could challenge incumbent defensive tackle T.J. Sanders for playing time. Sanders, a 2025 second-round pick, struggled as a rookie, while Hunter is known for his run-stuffing ability - an area the Bills need to improve after ranking near the bottom of the league in run defense last season.

Why it matters

The Bills' reported interest in Hunter suggests they are looking to upgrade their interior defensive line, which could put T.J. Sanders' future with the team in jeopardy. Sanders was expected to provide a boost to the Bills' pass rush, but his underwhelming rookie campaign has the team exploring other options to shore up the trenches.

The details

Sanders, a 6-foot-4, 297-pound defensive tackle, finished his rookie season with just one sack, one quarterback hit, and a paltry 5.2% pressure rate. In contrast, the 6-foot-4, 321-pound Hunter has been credited with 31 tackles for loss over the past three college seasons, showcasing his ability to disrupt the run game. The Bills were one of the worst run-defending teams in the NFL last season, allowing 24 rushing touchdowns and 5.1 yards per carry, which could make Hunter a more appealing option for their new 3-4 defensive scheme under coordinator Jim Leonhard.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23.

The players

T.J. Sanders

A second-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2025, Sanders struggled to make an impact as a rookie defensive tackle, recording just one sack and one quarterback hit.

Lee Hunter

A defensive lineman from Texas Tech who is known for his stout run-defending ability, which could make him an attractive option for the Bills as they look to improve their run defense.

Deone Walker

A fourth-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2025, Walker made a more significant impact as a rookie defensive lineman compared to T.J. Sanders.

Jim Leonhard

The new defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, who is transitioning the team to a 3-4 base defense.

Sean McDermott

The former head coach of the Buffalo Bills, who ran a different defensive scheme than the one being implemented by new coordinator Jim Leonhard.

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What they’re saying

“While Sanders offers a higher ceiling as a pass rusher, Hunter has been credited with 31 tackles for loss over his past three collegiate seasons and has far greater run-stuffing ability than Sanders.”

— Ryan Fowler, NFL Analyst

What’s next

The Bills will continue to evaluate their options ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins on April 23. If they select a defensive lineman like Lee Hunter, it could signal that they are looking to upgrade their interior defensive line and potentially move on from T.J. Sanders.

The takeaway

The Bills' reported interest in Lee Hunter highlights their desire to improve their run defense, which was a major weakness in 2025. Bringing in a stout run-defender like Hunter could put incumbent defensive tackle T.J. Sanders' future with the team in jeopardy, as the Bills look to build a more well-rounded defensive line to complement their new 3-4 scheme.