Grading The Pick: Bills hit a home run with their second-round pick in taking T.J. Parker during the 2026 NFL Draft
The Buffalo Bills immediately got better with the selection of Clemson’s T.J. Parker with the 35th overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Huge against the run, and solid rushing the passer. Does it get much better than that?
The Buffalo Bills need to help stop the run, and they just got better at doing exactly that with their second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Buffalo officially selected T.J. Parker with the 35th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, giving defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s defense a huge boost and a much-needed weapon on the edge.
In 2025, the Buffalo Bills were 28th against the run and 20th in sacks. You need pass rushers, and that’s what Parker is, along with being a stout run defender. In 39 games, he had 41 tackles for loss, which is absolutely absurd and something Bills Mafia should love.
T.J. Parker will immediately come in and make an impact as the Bills’ 35th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Parker is a slam-dunk pick from Buffalo and immediately raises the ceiling of the entire unit. Just imagining him opposite Greg Rousseau or Bradley Chubb is a nightmare for opposing offensive coordinators and immediately makes teams worry.
A to Z Sports Destin Adams broke down what T.J. Parker brings to the table.
This time last year, TJ Parker was being projected as a top-five pick. Some even thought he had the chance to be the number one overall pick. He finished the 2024 season with 11 sacks and six forced fumbles, and NFL teams were excited to see how he followed up in 2025. Sadly, like the rest of the Clemson Tigers last season, Parker underperformed. Finishing with only six sacks and failing to record a single forced fumble after that was a calling card for him in 2024.
Parker had a solid draft process, though, to try to erase some of the negative feelings some had about his 2025 film. He was one of the best players at this year’s Senior Bowl and had a good but not great showing at the scouting combine. Parker’s inability to turn the corner on tackles this past year hurt him tremendously, and it’s only going to get harder in the NFL. He projects as a day one starter who can be a positive against both the pass and the run. He is a comfortable power rusher and is already a strong run defender. He should carve out a three-down role early in his career and has the potential to be a star if he can get back to the level of play he showed in 2024.
Destin Adams
A to Z Sports
Jim Leonhard gets an absolute dog in T.J. Parker
Jim Leonhard is shaking things up at One Bills Drive, and Parker is going to play a big role in that. During his time at Clemson, Parker has played in 39 games with 71 solo tackles, 126 combined tackles, 41.5 tackles for loss, 21.6 sacks, and four passes defensed.
A to Z Sports prospect analysis: High-floor run defender with violent shed ability and relentless motor. Consistent two-down impact. Lacks elite explosiveness and bend to consistently pressure quarterbacks. Production dropped in 2025 compared to 2024.
The only knock on Parker is that he’s not a defensive tackle, linebacker, or wide receiver. It’s not a knock on his abilities; it’s just that there could have been more pressing positions to focus on instead.
Grade: B+
