After months of speculation, the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft took place Thursday evening, and the Buffalo Bills drafted edge rusher Gregory Rousseau out of the University of Miami with the No. 30 overall pick.
In today’s edition of the Bills daily links, we get to know Rousseau, a talented pass rusher who amassed 15.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in just 13 games played in 2019 before sitting out the 2020 season. We analyze the pick, discuss how Rousseau will boost Buffalo’s pass rush, and get to know the latest member of the Bills.
We hear from general manager Brandon Beane on why Rousseau was their guy at 30 (and hear about how one team was reportedly interested in trading up with Buffalo), dissect the calculated risk Beane and the Bills are taking in drafting Rousseau, and learn abut Rousseau’s pre-existing connections to Buffalo.
We then turn to Friday’s second and third rounds, where Buffalo has picks No. 61 (second round) and No. 93 (third round), identifying the best players on the board for the Bills to consider. We also rank Buffalo’s remaining needs now that Rousseau is in the mix, analyze what the rest of the AFC East did on day one of the draft, and more!
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2021 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills take Miami pass rusher Greg Rousseau - Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills have selected Greg Rousseau, pass rusher from Miami University, with the 30th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Opinion: Buffalo Bills bet on potential with DE Gregory Rousseau - Buffalo Rumblings
He could develop into a reliable starter or struggle to make an impact. Time will tell.
2021 NFL Draft Scouting Spotlight: Miami DE Gregory Rousseau - Buffalo Rumblings
A one-year wonder defensive end with some unanswered questions.
Miami Hurricanes 2021 NFL Draft Profile: EDGE Gregory Rousseau - State of The U
Rousseau Has Recently Been Deemed a Tricky Evaluation Due to Limited Tape, But the Freakish Playmaker Should Add Value to an NFL Team.
2021 NFL Draft: One team was “really interested” in trading for Buffalo Bills’ 30th pick - Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills had one team really interested in trading up to the number 30 overall pick, but in the end they decided to select Miami pass rusher Greg Rouseeau instead.
Additional Bills news from around the web
Buffalo boosts pass rush, drafts Gregory Rousseau
Buffalo Bills draft Gregory Rousseau: Miami DE will likely find a starting role in 2022 – The Athletic
The Bills will hope Rousseau and 2020 second-round pick A.J. Epenesa can become their starting defensive end pair of the future. (Subscription required).
Bills upgrade pass rush by choosing Gregory Rousseau - Democrat & Chronicle
The talented edge rusher was selected with the No. 30 overall pick in the first round.
Buffalo Bills select Miami Hurricanes defensive end Gregory Rousseau with No. 30 pick in 2021 NFL draft - NFL.com
“The Buffalo Bills select Miami Hurricanes defensive end Gregory Rousseau in Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft with the No. 30 overall pick.”
Buffalo Bills select Miami DE Gregory Rousseau with pick 30 in NFL Draft - newyorkupstate.com
Rousseau had 15.5 sacks in 2019 before opting out of 2020 college football season.
Bills select Gregory Rousseau with 30th pick in NFL Draft - WGR 550
“With the 30th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select defensive end Gregory Rousseau out of the University of Miami,” writes Brayton J. Wilson.
Getting to know Gregory Rousseau
5 things to know about Bills first round pick Gregory Rousseau | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Here are five things to know about Miami (Fla.) edge rusher Gregory Rousseau, selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round, 30th overall, on Thursday,” writes Jay Skurski.
Gregory Rousseau: 3 things to know about Buffalo Bills’ first-round pick - Democrat & Chronicle
Get to know the University of Miami product.
2021 NFL Draft scouting report: Gregory Rousseau - WGR 550
Gregory Rousseau slid down the draft board but the Buffalo Bills selected him with the 30th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft 2021: 5 thoughts and grade on Buffalo Bills drafting Gregory Rousseau - newyorkupstate.com
Pick gets mixed reaction from Bills Mafia, some hoping for CB or top LB.
Buffalo Bills NFL Draft 2021: Gregory Rousseau has fan in Calais Campbell and ties to Buffalo (6 things to know about new DE) - newyorkupstate.com
Rousseau opted out in 2020, but was highly productive in 2019.
Greg Rousseau: “Show What I’m Made Of” - BuffaloBills.com
Bills 2021 first-round draft pick Gregory Rousseau discusses his familiarity with the Buffalo area, what skills he plans on bringing to the Bills, and his reasons for opting out of the 2020 college season due to COVID-19.
Rousseau ready to be best he can be in Buffalo - WGR 550
Gregory Rousseau met with the media for the first time and shared that he’s ready to be the best he can be.
Thoughts and reaction to Buffalo’s first-round pick
Bills hit top need with first-round pick of defensive end Greg Rousseau | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“In making former University of Miami standout edge rusher Greg Rousseau their first-round pick in the NFL draft Thursday night, the Bills look to have put some much-needed teeth into their pass rush,” writes Vic Carucci.
Capaccio: Bills go long-term route with pick of Rousseau - WGR 550
“By staying at pick No. 30, it was always going to be tough for the Buffalo Bills to find a player who could make an immediate impact on a roster that went to the AFC Championship Game last year and remained largely intact,” writes Sal Capaccio.
Bills, Brandon Beane take a calculated risk with selection of Gregory Rousseau – The Athletic
Beane is banking on Rousseau’s instincts translating to the NFL. The luxury the Bills have is that they don’t need it to happen right away. (Subscription required).
NFL Network | Breaking down the Gregory Rousseau selection in the 2021 NFL Draft - BuffaloBills.com
“The Buffalo Bills select Miami Hurricanes defensive end Gregory Rousseau in Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft with the No. 30 overall pick.”
Bills NFL Draft 2021: Greg Rousseau a ‘terror on the field’ with a ‘Chandler Jones-type ceiling’ (What they’re saying) - newyorkupstate.com
The Bills addressed their defensive line with their first pick for the third consecutive draft.
Buffalo Bills NFL draft picks 2021: Analysis for every selection - Buffalo Bills- ESPN
Buffalo continues to add youth to its defensive front, drafting Miami pass rusher Gregory Rousseau with the No. 30 pick.
Top 3 things we learned about the Bills | 2021 NFL Draft night one - BuffaloBills.com
Chris Brown breaks down the Bills’ first-round pick and night one of the NFL Draft.
Instant Reaction - Round 1: Bills Select Miami DE Gregory Rousseau - BuffaloBills.com
“Maddy Glab and Chris Brown reacted to the Bills selection of the Miami DE Gregory Rousseau in the first round of the NFL Draft.”
2021 NFL Draft grades for every Round 1 pick – The Athletic
Starting with the Jags taking Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence at No. 1, how did every team fare on day one of the 2021 NFL Draft? (Subscription required).
Beane on why Buffalo drafted Gregory Rousseau
Brandon Beane: “A Rising Player” - BuffaloBills.com
“General Manager Brandon Beane addressed the media after selecting Defensive End Greggory (sic) Rousseau in the 1st round of the 2021 NFL Draft.”
NFL Draft 2021: Buffalo Bills wanted ‘prototype’ pass rusher Gregory Rousseau all along - newyorkupstate.com
Disappointing pro day or not, Beane thinks Rousseau can develop into pass rusher who can affect QB.
Beane: ‘We really liked [Rousseau] through the process’ - WGR 550
Brandon Beane met with the media following his selection of University of Miami defensive lineman Gregory Rousseau in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Gregory Rousseau’s connections to Buffalo
Bills DE Greg Rousseau has Buffalo connections through family ties | News 4 Buffalo
“It always seems like you can find a Buffalo connection in most situations and that is no different with the Bills first-round draft pick Greg Rousseau,” writes Heather Prusak.
Day 2 Targets for the Bills
NFL Draft Day 1: Bills get Miami edge rusher, prepare for rounds 2 and 3 | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“The Buffalo Bills selected University Of Miami Hurricanes edge rusher Gregory Rousseau with the 30th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft Thursday night.”
Ranking Bills’ remaining needs heading into Rounds 2-3 of NFL Draft – The Athletic
When you factor in the overall importance of position to their scheme, CB and interior O-line become the clear Round 2 front runners. (Subscription required).
Second round mock draft: Bills shift their focus to the other side of the ball | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Quarterbacks dominated the first half of the draft, with five going in the first 15 picks. Here’s how the second round may play out Friday night,” writes Jay Skurski.
5 Players the Bills could target on day two of the NFL Draft - WKBW TV
“With an edge rusher already added in the first round, the Bills have plenty of options with their six remaining picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. But what players could they target with their two picks on Friday?,” writes Matt Bove.
Look at potential options for the Bills on Day 2 of NFL draft | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Plenty of spots remained to be filled on the roster as the NFL conducts the second and third rounds of the draft Friday night,” writes Mark Gaughan.
2021 NFL Draft best available for Bills: Asante Samuel Jr., Rondale Moore, Richie Grant — updated Big Board – The Athletic
“The Buffalo Bills took Miami edge Gregory Rousseau at No. 30 in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night.” (Subscription required).
NFL Draft: Irish LB; Big 12’s best; ‘Bama DT still on board | Buffalo Sports | buffalonews.com
“One of the best linebackers in college football, the top defensive tackles in the class and the consensus best safety are all still on the board heading into the second day of the NFL draft,” writes Ralph D. Russo.
Odds and ends
With stars nearing big paydays, Buffalo Bills need to nail 2021 NFL draft - Buffalo Bills Blog- ESPN
Upcoming extensions for Josh Allen and others show Buffalo is drafting well. It also adds pressure to keep hitting on picks to provide cheap depth.
NFL Draft 2021 AFC East roundup: Jets, Patriots get QB of future; Dolphins go WR, edge - newyorkupstate.com
Which team closed gap with AFC East champion Bills?
Big moves by AFC East rivals went pretty well for the Bills | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“The first half of the first round of the NFL draft went reasonably well for the Buffalo Bills, even though their three AFC East rivals had prime picks,” writes Mark Gaughan.
Bills draft picks: Round-by-round look at their 2021 selections - Democrat & Chronicle
The Buffalo Bills have seven picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.