2026 NFL Draft: Grading the Bills' pick of TJ Parker in second round
An instant analysis of the Buffalo Bills' second-round pick, TJ Parker.
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.