Bills upgrade pass rush by drafting Miami’s Rousseau 30th

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) » Whatever Greg Rousseau lacks in experience as a pass rusher, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane believes the University of Miami defensive end makes up for in sheer size, speed and instincts.

Add in an eagerness to continue learning, and that was enough for Beane to address Buffalo’s key offseason need in selecting Rousseau with the 30th pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.

“We think Greg is on the come, a rising player that will continue to grow into his body,” Beane said. “He still has some rawness to his game. But we like who he is, and we think he’s a guy who, in time, will reach his potential.”

The 21-year-old is listed at 6-foot-6 and 266 pounds, and led the ACC with 15 ½ sacks to earn conference rookie of the year honors in 2019.

Rousseau, however, was considered a bit of an unknown after playing only one full college season before opting out last year amid COVID-19 concerns. He was also new to the position after playing safety and receiver in high school, before making the switch to defensive end upon entering Miami. He was limited to playing just two games during his freshman season before breaking his ankle in 2018.

What stood out for Beane was what he saw from Rousseau on tape in how he used his length to disrupt opposing quarterbacks.

“For a one-year player, he’s got a knack for getting to the quarterback,” Beane said. “Greg is an instinctive player. He’s just a young player that we think has a ton of upside.”

With Josh Allen having solidified his future at quarterback, defense was considered a priority entering the draft after the Bills addressed mostly offensive needs over the past two months. Except for resigning starting linebacker Matt Milano to a four-year contract, Buffalo used its limited salary cap on bringing back starting offensive linemen Jon Feliciano and Daryl Williams, and adding receiver Emmanuel Sanders to offset the loss of John Brown.

The Bills finished 15th in the NFL with 38 sacks, and tied for 20th with 143 quarterback pressures. The team also needs to get younger at the position, with its top two edge-rushers, Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison, both going to be 33 or older and entering the final season of their contracts.

Beane identified upgrading Buffalo’s pass rush as a priority immediately following the season, and said it became even more important with division rivals New England and the New York Jets selecting quarterbacks in the first round on Thursday.

The Jets drafted Zach Wilson with the No. 2 pick, while the Patriots choose Mac Jones at No. 16.