Bills hunting new defensive ID with explosive Penn State DT Zane Durant
It’s a new day for the Buffalo Bills’ defense with the addition of Zane Durant in Round 5 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 8: Zane Durant #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lionsreacts after a play against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium on November 8, 2025 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Buffalo Bills are in a very new era of defense under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. The selection of Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant is a perfect reflection of that.
The 6’1” 290-pound Durant is the kind of player you pick to spice up the explosive elements of your team on the front. Durant plays bigger than his size suggests and he has massive hands for a player of his size (10 5/8”), which actually help him significantly. This is a player to put on the field in passing downs and turn him up.
There’s a lot to like about his athleticism, and he tested as such at the NFL Scouting Combine with a ridiculous 4. 75 40-yard dash. Penn State DT Zane Durant (Rd 3-4): + First-step explosiveness + Low center of gravity + Bend and flexibility on stunts + Quick and active hands + 4.
75 40, 1. 66 10 – 6’1”, 290 lbs – Shorter arms – Washed out vs. double teams – Won’t be trusted to two-gap pic.