The countdown to the 2025 NFL Draft is on. The Bills have done a good job of addressing many of their offseason needs to maximize their 2025 roster, but those needs persist for the long term.
One of their most significant long-term needs remains at defensive tackle. However, it’s not just for any defensive tackle. With starter DaQuan Jones in his contract year and in his age-33 season, they need a cost-controlled, long-term starter at one-technique defensive tackle.
The position primarily lines up between a guard and the center. They are usually tasked with being one of the team’s best run defenders, occupying double-team blockers without surrendering ground to keep second-level defenders clean, winning against one-on-ones to make tackles, or plugging the rushing lane and forcing the runner to bounce the play outside. It’s usually an early-down role, though if the Bills can find someone who has some passing-down value or the potential to get there, it makes the player that much more valuable.
If you don’t see the names of some of the defensive tackle prospects here that you see on draft rankings, it means they’d be best suited to the three-technique role. That position is well-stocked for the Bills for both 2025 and the long term with the trio of Ed Oliver, Larry Ogunjobi and DeWayne Carter.
Among those available this year, who fits what the Bills usually look for in a one-technique defensive tackle? After studying the prospects this year, here are some names worth monitoring.
Top options at No. 30 or a slight move-up
Derrick Harmon, Oregon
If Harmon is available in the mid-20s or at No. 30 for the Bills, it could be a slam-dunk investment for them. Harmon has the size (6-foot-4, 313 pounds) and arm length (34.375 inches) that the Bills have targeted when investing in the one-technique role. On top of that, Harmon fits the job description as he flashes an excellent ability to lock his arms and hold the point of attack without surrendering ground and can shed the block to get free as the ball carrier approaches. He can also split a double team to work his way into the backfield. But he isn’t just a standard one-technique prospect because of his versatility and how fluid of a mover he is for his size. The Bills prefer having players at defensive tackles who can moonlight at both defensive tackle roles, and Harmon can capably do that.
Harmon’s pass-rush ability and run-defending prowess set him apart from the potential one-technique prospects for the Bills. The pass-rushing piece ramps up his value for the Bills and could quickly turn him into a bonafide three-down player early into his NFL career. Of all the defensive tackle options, Harmon seems like the strongest fit for the Bills and would even be worth some thought of a minor move up the board from No. 30, within reason.
Kenneth Grant, Michigan
If the Bills are looking for a no-doubt-about-it one-technique prospect who is at his best defending the run, Grant is that guy. At a compact 6-foot-3, 331 pounds, with a 33.5-inch arm length, Grant is built like a brick house and easily satisfies the prototypical measurements the Bills have invested in before. The power that he plays with is impressive and shows up all over the place. Offensive linemen will have a difficult time moving him off his spot, and he shows the potential to occupy both double-team block attempts on him. Grant has shown to be an asset in run-defending and projects well to do just that at the next level.
Why Grant falls below Harmon all has to do with current third-down capabilities. At this point, Grant is more of a clean-up pass-rusher than one who disrupts the pocket, and early on in his career, he may be nothing more than an early-down asset who has to come off the field for obvious pass-rushing situations, though there is more of a nimbleness to his movement abilities than other massive one-technique run-stuffers. He’ll never dip and rip through blockers, but through his power and movement skills, there is a path to seeing him develop as an asset on third downs. It will take some projecting by the team that drafts him. Regardless, the Bills should consider using the No. 30 selection on Grant as his talent warrants the pick. If the Bills feel strongly enough that Grant’s pass-rushing can come along to make him a three-down player, a slight move up could be in order, as there is a drop-off from Harmon and Grant to the next tier.
Day Two options
Joshua Farmer, Florida State
Farmer is at the top of this tier only because his three-down potential is superior to the other options, and he has better movement skills and overall versatility to play both defensive tackle positions. At 6-foot-3, 305 pounds and with a 35-inch arm length, Farmer fits right in line with the Bills’ previous one-technique investments. He isn’t as accomplished of a run defender as others in this tier, but he shows enough balance and strength to become an eventual starter in the Bills’ scheme. Farmer would be the high-ceiling play of the second-round options, though I could easily see the Bills preferring a safer route on Day Two with the other three in the tier.
Alfred Collins, Texas
Collins and the next player on the list are fairly similar in terms of potential role and overall skill set for the Bills, but he gets a slight edge because of a legitimate size advantage and how it could help him develop as a third-down rusher in the future. Collins is a clear fit as a prototypical one-technique who would be a two-down run defender in their scheme to begin his career. He could even push for more playing time as early as this year. Collins is a massive player at 6-foot-5 and 332 pounds, with a 34.625-inch arm length. He shows a clear ability to shed one-on-one run blocks, which puts him in a position to limit a play through his gap. Though having similar size as Grant, Collins is much stiffer as an athlete, so it does limit his overall pass-rushing potential, but there’s a lot to like here.
Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Williams packs a punch as a run defender, and his thick frame will be well-suited to space-eating needed to play the one-technique role. Much of what is true of Collins is true for Williams in terms of scheme fit with some residual down the line pass rushing potential. He might even be a better space occupier than Collins. However, the reason I have him listed after Collins all has to do with the Bills’ usual type at one technique. Certain thresholds have mostly proven to be important in how they invest with different positions, and having great arm length at one technique has been a common thread. Williams’ arms are almost three inches shorter than Collins, and he’s almost three inches shorter. With similar profiles, that might be enough to give Collins the edge.
Jordan Phillips, Maryland
Despite being smaller than Williams, Phillips is a fun one to watch because of his play strength. He’s like a tree trunk in the middle of the defensive line and difficult to move. He’s a better mover than expected, but it likely isn’t enough to project him becoming a plus pass rusher down the line. Phillips is a one technique through and through and likely doesn’t have as much versatility to play both positions down the line, like Farmer, Collins and Williams could all possess. Phillips’ arm length is even smaller than Williams, too, which could hurt his draft stock. If the Bills go elsewhere with their first three selections and they like Phillips, they could be able to move up from pick No. 109 into the third round to secure his services.
Day Three options
Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon — Caldwell is a gap-plugging, space-eating, one-technique-only prospect at 332 pounds with a quick first step. There is some thought he would be best suited to the 0-technique role in a 3-4 defense, but he’s a clear strength as a run defender.
C.J. West, Indiana — West is 16 pounds lighter than Caldwell and has slightly shorter arms, but he’s a similar middle-of-the-defense run defender with better-than-expected quickness. Caldwell and West could probably be had in the fourth round should the Bills strike out on the first two days of the draft.
J.J. Pegues, Mississippi — There is some projection involved with Pegues that he could develop well into the one-technique role due to his frame. He’s not as stout as some of the other prospects and may not hold the point of attack as consistently as others, but he has some good run-defending reps on tape and the pass rush potential. I was reminded a bit of Tim Settle with Pegues, who the Bills signed, hoping he could give them some good rotational one-technique reps. It didn’t work out with Settle, but the Bills could try it again for no greater cost than a Day 3 selection.
Yahya Black, Iowa — The 6-foot-5, 336-pound defensive tackle uses his 35-inch arm length to his advantage in fortifying a run defense in the middle. He likely won’t be a pass-rushing threat due to being a bit heavy-footed, but his ability to hold his ground, and use his power and length to defend the run could develop into an early-down starter in the future. That’s worth a Day 3 shot if they don’t select one earlier in the draft.
Cam’Ron Jackson, Florida — Jackson is a massive one-technique prospect who isn’t as nimble as some of the other one-technique-only types, but he’s a traits-based play at 6-foot-6, 328 pounds and a 34.125-inch arm length. Power and holding his ground is his best asset. He’s likely a two-down rotational player, but the Bills still need that down the line even if they miss out on a long-term starter.
Honorable mentions, Day 3: Ty Hamilton (Ohio State), Cam Horsley (Boston College), Junior Tafuna (Utah)
(Top photo of Kenneth Grant: Joe Nicholson / Imagn Images)