The Buffalo Bills are in a position where they have solid starters at linebacker and defensive back. However, the depth at those positions is lacking. Linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard are both returning from lower body injuries. This raises some uncertainty about the players behind them, namely Nicholas Morrow and Baylon Spector. While Dorian Williams is expected to fill in, there is still room for improvement in depth. At outside cornerback, the Bills have Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford as starters. However, Kaiir Elam is relatively unproven, and DB Cam Lewis is in a state of limbo between safety and cornerback. The Bills brought back S Taylor Rapp and signed S Mike Edwards to address the safety position. Still, questions remain about who will fill out the rest of the safety roles. The linebacker and defensive back depth has been challenged health-wise in recent seasons. As a result, it’s likely that the Bills will target these positions on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. While Texas has received attention for its wide receivers and defensive tackles in this draft, two linebackers from the university are worth considering. LBs Jaylan Ford and Jett Bush are projected to be selected in the mid-to-late rounds or as undrafted free agents. Either player could potentially be brought in to provide depth. DB Ryan Watts is another potential late-round pick who could switch to safety at the NFL level.
Jaylan Ford, a 6’2”, 240-pound linebacker, played a significant role in the Longhorns’ defense. He started in 29 games over four seasons, primarily at middle linebacker. Ford would provide additional size to the Bills’ linebacker group. He excels as a run defender in the backfield, recording 20.5 tackles for loss in his final two seasons at Texas. However, there are concerns about his change of direction and tackling technique. Despite these concerns, Ford has proven to be a playmaker with six interceptions, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in his final two seasons.
Jett Bush, on the other hand, served as a depth linebacker at Texas. He appeared in 58 games with six starts over five seasons. Bush primarily played on the D-line on passing downs and special teams in 2023. While he lacks the starting experience of Ford, Bush had a memorable moment, returning an interception for a touchdown against Texas Tech.
Ryan Watts is likely to transition to safety in the NFL. He is better suited for zone coverage than man-to-man. Watts is known for his tackling, particularly as a run defender, with only one missed tackle in 2023. However, Watts’ injury history, including a hamstring injury in Week 5 and a back injury in Week 12, could affect his draft stock.
As the NFL Draft approaches, the Buffalo Bills have plenty of options to consider. While there is no guarantee that they will select players from the University of Texas, there are some prospects who could provide valuable depth and contribute to the team’s success.
