How Bills can copy Rams' unique draft strategy to benefit their pass rush

The 2025 NFL Draft is only a few days away, and the Buffalo Bills will likely be adding some new names to the defensive line. One strategy Brandon Beane can consider is targeting several players from the same school, like the Rams did with Jared Verse and Braden Fiske out of Florida State last year.

The results for LA included Verse winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, with Fiske placing third in voting for the award, thanks to their 13 combined sacks. A team in Buffalo's position, primed to double-dip in the trenches, could target several different schools to copy LA's unique draft strategy.

Ole Miss: Walter Nolen, Princely Umanmielen, Jared Ivey, JJ Pegues

The Rebels offer four NFL-caliber defensive linemen in this draft. Nolen is regarded as one of the best DTs in the class, while Umanmielen and Ivey are both projected to be Day 2 picks. Pegues possesses versatility along the defensive line and has "elite change-of-direction quickness for a big man" according to draft analyst Lance Zierlein, who projects him as an early Day 3 selection.

Ohio State: Tyleik Williams, JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Ty Hamilton

The Buckeyes offer a similar set of propsects to the Rebels, with a potential Day 1 defensive tackle, two edge rushers likely to be gone by round three, and an early Day 3 run-stuffing defensive tackle to round out the stacked defensive line. Tuimoloau's "strong core and ideal length" according to Zierlein make him an intriguing Round 2 option, while Sawyer's Cotton Bowl touchdown illustrates the high-upside player worth a Day 2 flier.

Oregon: Derrick Harmon, Jordan Burch, Jamaree Caldwell

Harmon is a popular mock draft pick for the Bills at pick 30, after leading all FBS defensive tackles in pressures last season. Burch "is a savvy, polished pass rusher with an impressive arsenal of moves," as draft analyst Kyle Crabbs described with his third-round evaluation of the Duck. Caldwell's 332 pound build projects to be a solid one-tech that will likely be drafted early on Day 3.