2026 NFL Draft: Grading the Bills' pick of TJ Parker in second round

The Buffalo Bills continued to revamp their defense this offseason, using another premium asset for new Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard to unleash this year. Buffalo selected Clemson edge rusher TJ Parker with the 35th-overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Parker had an explosive sophomore season, one that put him on the early radar of many NFL scouts. In 2024, Parker broke out with 57 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and six forced fumbles. All of this added up to second-team All-SEC honors for Parker.

Parker's 2025 season was solid, but it felt like a bit of a step back based on his trajectory that was set from his first two years in college. Parker's totals backslid to 39 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks.

There's a lot to like about Parker's game. He does a tremendous job at getting in the backfield. It's not every day that you find a player who averages more than one tackle for loss per game in their college career (41.5 tackles for loss in 39 games). Parker does a great job of setting the edge and attacking the ball carrier. Looking back at his sophomore season, he was an absolute menace getting after the quarterback. His quickness overmatched opposing offensive tackles.

However, there's a bit of a concern about why the production fell off a bit last year. Opposing offensive linemen seemed to neutralize his speed rush. At the next level, Parker needs to develop a larger range of pass rush moves. As opponents game-planned to address Parker's speed, they kept him under wraps. Parker was not as consistent during his junior year, as teams found ways to keep him making impact plays.

The Bottom Line

Parker is a good player. It's a solid pick and addresses a perceived need on the roster. However, Parker's path to earning a meaningful number of snaps is a bit murky, as Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb will earn first-team reps this season. In addition, the Bills needs of nose tackle and inside linebacker should have been a greater priority for the team, as there are plenty of snaps that are unaccounted for at this time.

Parker was expected to be selected in the second round of the draft, so he fit his draft projection. If Buffalo is planning to use the Clemson product as a pass-rush expert, that's fine. Is it worth an early second-round pick when other starting spots remain unsettled? Parker will need to show out in the offseason to make this pick worthwhile. Otherwise, a rotational player picked this high will feel a bit underwhelming.

Draft Grade: B

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 2026 NFL Draft grade: Bills select TJ Parker in second round