Bills select DT Zane Durant in Round 5 of 2026 NFL Draft

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 07: Zane Durant #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after a play Bowling Green Falcons during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 7, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Buffalo Bills used the last pick in Round 5 to select defensive tackle Zane Durant from Penn State. In drafting Durant, it represents Buffalo’s first addition to the defensive tackle room this offseason.

Most pre-draft analysis of the Bills’ defense saw a glaring need to add zero-tech nose tackle for new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s 3-4 base system. However, it’s uncertain whether Buffalo sees Durant as that answer at a perceived need. Draft experts have tabbed Durant’s role as an athletic three technique in the NFL, and his size reminds of Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver.

At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Durant measured in at 6’ 1 1/8” tall and 290 pounds, with 31 7/8” arms and 10 5/8” hands. NFL. com analysis gave Durant a Prospect Grade of 5.

98 and “Average Backup Or Special-Teamer. ” Despite that grade, Durant brings tons of athletic potential, having finished the combine with a 4. 75-second 40-yard dash, 1.