When popular defensive tackle Kyle Williams announced he was retiring at the conclusion of the 2018 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills were left with a void along the defensive line.
To this point, the Bills have not signed anyone to replace Williams on the line, meaning the team might turn to its ten draft picks to find defensive-tackle reinforcements. On Friday, word came out that the Bills were hosting Western Illinois defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on a pre-draft visit.
According to Ryan Talbot of NewYorkUpstate.com, Saunders, who is viewed more as a Day 2 selection, will be meeting with Buffalo’s brass leading up to April’s NFL Draft.
Saunders recorded 127 total tackles (34.5 for a loss to go with 18 sacks and six forced fumbles in four seasons at Western Illinois. An invitee to the Senior Bowl, Saunders’s athleticism and skills were on display, as he sacked West Virginia quarterback Will Grier in the first quarter of the game among his defensive highlights.
Saunders was named First-Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2017 and 2018, when he recorded 12 sacks with 99 total tackles (60 solo stops).
While the Bills won’t use pick No. 9 on Saunders, he could be a target with the team’s second-round pick (No. 40) or third-round pick (No. 74) if he is still available.