Landon

Jackson

The Bills took Jackson in the third round of this year’s draft. The rookie has only appeared in three games this season and has been in on 30 defensive snaps. The team is still determining a timeline for his recovery, but Jackson’s season has now come to an end. He did not record a tackle in his rookie campaign.

Jackson left in the first half and was spotted on the sidelines with crutches later in the game. The rookie was also sporting a brace on his right knee. It looks like he will be sidelined well beyond just the rest of this game.

Jackson will be able to be activated off the PUP list at any time during training camp, but apparently will not be ready as camp starts. If he remains on the PUP list through the 53-man roster deadline, he’ll be locked into missing a few weeks at the beginning of the season.

Jackson (6’6/264) is a high-upside edge with prototypical size and elite athleticism, backed by a 9.78 RAS. After transferring from LSU and adding 40+ pounds, Jackson blossomed into a disruptive force in Arkansas’ four-man front, leading the team in TFLs and sacks for two straight seasons. He racked up a dominant 83.0 overall PFF grade in 2024 with an 88.8 run defense grade, flashing advanced vision, a high motor, and the length to manipulate tackles with coordinated hands and explosive strides. He lacks true speed-to-power consistency and suddenness to corner tightly. His rush counters are still evolving, and his upright play style makes him late breaking down in space, leading to missed tackles (13.0% missed tackle rate). Durability also looms—Jackson has endured multiple season-ending injuries, including a neck issue in late 2024. Despite the drawbacks, his frame, motor, and elite testing (4.68 40, 40.5” vert, 7.13 3-cone) scream NFL starter traits.

Jackson (6'6/240) had revealed a top 10 of schools that included Alabama, Washington, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Miami, Arkansas, Texas A&M and Texas; but the pledge goes to LSU. He’s ranked the third best weakside defensive end in the 247Sports composite rankings, and the Texarkana native is rated 19th among prospects in the state. He did suffer an ACL injury his sophomore season, but Gabe Brooks of 247Sports notes that he’s a “Naturally gifted, toolsy defensive end with a very high ceiling. Could become impact defensive end/edge player at the high-major level with early-round NFL Draft ceiling.”

Jackson (6'6/240) has taken three unofficial visits to Texas A&M since April, so it comes as no surprise that the Aggies are on the list. The Texarkana, Texas native (Pleasant Grove HS) also took an unofficial visit to Texas in mid-May, and he’s also been on the Alabama and Arkansas campuses. “Elite-framed defensive end prospect who owns outstanding height and length with a ton of space to continue adding bulk,” 247Sports regional recruiting analyst Gabe Brooks wrote in his evaluation of Jackson, who he believes has the potential to be an early round draft pick down the line. “Lean through the core and must add bulk and strength, particularly in the lower body, to stand up against larger opponents in college.”