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The Buffalo Bills added a new piece to their defense on Friday night, selecting Arkansas defensive end Landon Jackson with the 72nd overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jackson, a former LSU transfer who became a key player for the Razorbacks from 2022 to 2024, was the second Arkansas player off the board, following wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, who went two picks earlier to Detroit. With his selection, Jackson became the fifth-highest drafted defensive end in Razorback history and the earliest taken at the position since Jamaal Anderson was selected eighth overall in 2007.
“I've always been a head-down hard worker, but never thought it could take me this far,” Jackson said at Arkansas’ Pro Day in March, reflecting on his path to the NFL.
Jackson steadily built his reputation during his time at Arkansas. After transferring from LSU, he quickly made an impact, earning First-Team All-SEC honors from coaches in 2023 and Second-Team All-SEC recognition from the Associated Press and coaches in 2024.
Throughout his college career, Jackson displayed consistent production and leadership, drawing attention as a candidate for major national awards, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, and Lombardi Award. His combination of size, motor, and competitive drive made him a mainstay on a Razorbacks' defensive line that faced some of the toughest competition in the country.
Jackson’s athletic profile helped cement his draft position. At the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, he turned heads with a 4.68-second 40-yard dash, a 40.5-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot-9 broad jump, rare numbers for a defensive end of his size. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.78 placed him 46th out of over 2,000 defensive ends evaluated since 1987.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Jackson’s overall Combine score ranked seventh among edge defenders, and his 85 athleticism score ranked second. NFL.com assigned him a prospect grade of 6.35, indicating he "will eventually be a plus starter" at the professional level.
While Jackson’s athleticism and motor are undeniable, some analysts view him as a developmental player. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted that Jackson’s lack of natural bend and body control could affect his early consistency. However, he praised his urgency, hand usage, and potential to develop better pass-rush counters with coaching.
Buffalo’s selection of Jackson signals a commitment to building defensive depth with high-upside players. Although he may not be an immediate starter, Jackson’s tools, work ethic, and steady improvement suggest he could become a key contributor to the Bills' defensive front in the coming seasons.
Continue reading...
Jackson, a former LSU transfer who became a key player for the Razorbacks from 2022 to 2024, was the second Arkansas player off the board, following wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, who went two picks earlier to Detroit. With his selection, Jackson became the fifth-highest drafted defensive end in Razorback history and the earliest taken at the position since Jamaal Anderson was selected eighth overall in 2007.
“I've always been a head-down hard worker, but never thought it could take me this far,” Jackson said at Arkansas’ Pro Day in March, reflecting on his path to the NFL.
Proven Production at the College Level
Jackson steadily built his reputation during his time at Arkansas. After transferring from LSU, he quickly made an impact, earning First-Team All-SEC honors from coaches in 2023 and Second-Team All-SEC recognition from the Associated Press and coaches in 2024.
Throughout his college career, Jackson displayed consistent production and leadership, drawing attention as a candidate for major national awards, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, and Lombardi Award. His combination of size, motor, and competitive drive made him a mainstay on a Razorbacks' defensive line that faced some of the toughest competition in the country.
Impressive Athletic Testing Raised His Stock
Jackson’s athletic profile helped cement his draft position. At the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, he turned heads with a 4.68-second 40-yard dash, a 40.5-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot-9 broad jump, rare numbers for a defensive end of his size. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.78 placed him 46th out of over 2,000 defensive ends evaluated since 1987.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Jackson’s overall Combine score ranked seventh among edge defenders, and his 85 athleticism score ranked second. NFL.com assigned him a prospect grade of 6.35, indicating he "will eventually be a plus starter" at the professional level.
Development Areas and NFL Outlook
While Jackson’s athleticism and motor are undeniable, some analysts view him as a developmental player. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted that Jackson’s lack of natural bend and body control could affect his early consistency. However, he praised his urgency, hand usage, and potential to develop better pass-rush counters with coaching.
Buffalo’s selection of Jackson signals a commitment to building defensive depth with high-upside players. Although he may not be an immediate starter, Jackson’s tools, work ethic, and steady improvement suggest he could become a key contributor to the Bills' defensive front in the coming seasons.
Continue reading...
