Bills' 2025 Draft Pick Landon Jackson Faces Uncertain Future After Rookie Struggles

The Buffalo Bills must address their edge rusher needs after their third-round pick in 2025 failed to make an impact as a rookie.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:53pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a football player rushing the quarterback, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in navy blue, royal blue, and red, conveying the fractured nature of the Bills' pass rush.The Bills' need for a dominant edge rusher is exposed after their 2025 draft pick failed to make an impact.College Station Today

The Buffalo Bills are facing a lingering need at edge rusher after their 2025 third-round draft pick, Landon Jackson, had a disappointing rookie season. Jackson, who was touted as a top-50 talent, saw limited playing time and suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 10. With the Bills transitioning to a 3-4 defensive scheme under new coordinator Jim Leonhard, Jackson's future with the team remains uncertain.

Why it matters

The Bills' inability to get production from their 2025 third-round pick at a key position of need creates a challenge for the team as they look to bolster their pass rush. The team's defensive makeover under Leonhard also raises questions about how Jackson might fit into the new scheme, potentially forcing the Bills to address the edge rusher position again in the upcoming draft.

The details

The Bills selected Jackson, an edge rusher from Arkansas, with the 72nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was initially buried on the depth chart and saw only 30 defensive snaps before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins. Even if fully healthy, the raw prospect is not someone the Bills can count on in 2026, creating a need for depth behind presumed starters Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb.

  • In 2025, the Bills invested an early third-round pick on Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson.
  • Jackson saw only 30 defensive snaps prior to a season-ending knee injury in Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins.
  • The Bills are transitioning to a 3-4 defensive scheme under new coordinator Jim Leonhard in 2026.

The players

Landon Jackson

A third-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 2025 NFL Draft, Landon Jackson is an edge rusher from Arkansas who had a disappointing rookie season due to limited playing time and a season-ending knee injury.

Greg Rousseau

A presumed starting edge rusher for the Buffalo Bills in 2026.

Bradley Chubb

A presumed starting edge rusher for the Buffalo Bills in 2026.

Jim Leonhard

The new defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, who is implementing a 3-4 defensive scheme for the 2026 season.

Cashius Howell

An edge rusher from Texas A&M who the Bills may consider drafting in the 2026 NFL Draft to address their needs at the position.

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What they’re saying

“Coming from Arkansas, Jackson was never able to establish himself in a quiet rookie campaign.”

— Matthew Verderame, Sports Illustrated Writer

What’s next

The Bills will likely address their edge rusher needs in the 2026 NFL Draft, either by selecting a player like Cashius Howell in the first round or adding depth at the position later in the draft.

The takeaway

The Bills' inability to get production from their 2025 third-round pick at edge rusher creates a significant need for the team as they transition to a new defensive scheme under Jim Leonhard. The team will need to prioritize addressing this position in the upcoming draft to ensure they have the necessary pass-rushing talent to compete in the AFC.