The Buffalo Bills selected linebacker TJ Parker with the 35th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after trading out of Round 1. Early reactions are positive, with many considering Parker a steal due to his impressive college stats despite a dip in his team's performance last year.
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The Buffalo Bills finally got their name on the scoreboard while taking one off of the draft board at the 2026 NFL Draft with the selection of TJ Parker. Parker, a linebacker and edge defender in the new defensive scheme coming under coordinator Jim Leonard, comes to Buffalo after the team traded out of Round 1 on Thursday. Early reactions from around the football world are mostly good on the Clemson product coming to the Bills. Parker recorded 21.5 sacks, 41.5 tackles for a loss, four pass deflections, and six forced fumbles over 39 career games. That's good production, so why is Parker not a first-round pick? Clemson's entire football program took a rare step back in 2025. Parker was part of that, but the year prior, he had a better showing. The Bills appear to be banking on that version of Parker and the football world does not mind it once bit. Here is a roundup of national media reaction to the Bills' selection of Parker:
TJ Parker to the Bills
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 24, 2026
.@BuffaloBills@ClemsonFB edge master; TJ Parker is a Bill ; an Buffalo Bill. hello #billsmafia#BaldysBreakdowspic.twitter.com/FPouRjlUWp
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 24, 2026
The Bills selected TJ Parker to enhance their defense, banking on his previous strong performances despite a downturn in his team's overall success.
TJ Parker recorded 21.5 sacks, 41.5 tackles for loss, four pass deflections, and six forced fumbles over 39 career games at Clemson.
National media reactions have been mostly positive, with many analysts praising the Bills for landing a potential steal in Parker.
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Steve and Sam break down the Bills’ buy-low move drafting edge rusher T.J. Parker
“Coming into the year, we said just a little bit more juice off the edge and he can be something really good. The pad level, disruptive in the run game… at worst, a No. 2 type of rusher.” pic.twitter.com/V0t55QpYQb
— Check the Mic with Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson (@CTM\_Show) April 25, 2026
Bills got an absolute steal in TJ Parker in the 2nd Round 💪 pic.twitter.com/pBIgOuJshA
— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) April 24, 2026
Buffalo Bills - Round 2 | Pick 4: T.J. Parker — EDGE, Clemson
Full scouting report HERE:
Stream live on @netflix!
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) April 24, 2026
The moment TJ Parker became a Bill 🥹🦬 #BillsMafiapic.twitter.com/jebuXcWAsl
— SleeperBills (@SleeperBills) April 24, 2026
Bills select Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker with pick No. 35
Parkers teams up with Bradley Chubb in Buffalo 🦬 pic.twitter.com/1jFvO4LSIM
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 24, 2026
Bills outside linebacker T.J. Parker had more tackles for a loss at Clemson than games played.
Appeared in 39 straight games. 32.4% of his career tackles were for a loss. His six forced fumbles in 2024 were a program record.
— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) April 24, 2026
"This is a team that needed juice."
The guys discuss the Buffalo Bills landing Clemson EDGE rusher TJ Parker in the second round. pic.twitter.com/rLbqQZ0qFv
— The Athletic Football Show (@TA\_FootballShow) April 24, 2026
Bills select EDGE T.J. Parker with the No. 35 overall pick.pic.twitter.com/LwruEVEd5b
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) April 24, 2026
Favorite picks of Round 2:
• TJ Parker (Bills) • Colton Hood (Giants) • R Mason Thomas (Chiefs) • Zion Young (Ravens) • Aveion Terrell (Falcons) • Lee Hunter (Panthers) • Brandon Cisse (Packers • Eli Stowers (Eagles) • Logan Jones (Bears) • Bud Clark (Seahawks)
— Ryan Fowler (@\RyanFowler\) April 25, 2026
NFL Films senior producer @gregcosell on the #Bills selection of Clemson OLB T.J. Parker in the 2nd round of the #NFLDraft🔊⬇️#Billsmafiapic.twitter.com/foGw9uhdtH
— One Bills Live (@OneBillsLive) April 24, 2026
Bills take TJ Parker at 35 in the 2016 draft
Big powerful player, once a top 10 guy
Reminds me of someone else in BUF
Gotta find that gear pic.twitter.com/dXYM7LmEZO
— Stick to the Model (@StickToTheModel) April 24, 2026
The #Bills will select Clemson DE TJ Parker at No. 35. This was their first pick in the draft.
Parker had a stronger 2024 than 2025 but impressed at the Senior Bowl and finished his Clemson career with 41.5 TFLs in 39 games.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 24, 2026
The pick is in for the #Bills.
At pick #35, Buffalo selects #Clemson EDGE TJ Parker.
Uber productive for the Tigers through past few years, slipped a bit last year.
He DOMINATED the Senior Bowl in Mobile.
- 6' 3"
- 263 lbs.
- 11 sacks, 6 FF in '24#BillsMafiapic.twitter.com/kIZ7hF6gyI
— Justin Siejak 📝 (@justinsiejak) April 24, 2026 *This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: National reactions: Did Bills land steal in TJ Parker at No. 35 pick?*