BUFFALO, N.Y. — Defensive line was one of the top areas the Bills were targeting in the NFL draft.
That's especially true with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs dominating them in the AFC Championship game and emerging as a force to be reckoned with in years to come.
To that end, the Bills took defensive end Gregory Rousseau out of Miami with the 30th pick in the NFL draft.
GM Brandon Beane made it clear right after the selection.
"Anyone that could affect the passer... He's got a knack for getting to the quarterback. A lot of guys can get off and rush, but they don't necessarily have the feel as to how to get the quarterback down... Greg is an instinctive player... just a young player that we think has a ton of upside and fit in here well."
That's a comment in reference to the Chiefs, and AFC East opponents with the Jets and Patriots selecting quarterbacks.
"Our division from free agency and from what already tonight has been added in the first round, it's going to be really tough... We've got to do our job to continue to offset players for what they've done."
Rousseau opted out in 2020 as a pandemic related precaution, and had a questionable pro day, but the Bills project him as a rising talent who can get to the quarterback.
Rousseau says he's thankful for that confidence.
"It's a blessing that they believed in me... I know what I bring to the table. I know I'm somebody who is going to come in and work has hard as possible and try to maximize my potential... I'm ready to prove that they made the right decision."
There is, as it seems is often the case, a Buffalo connection.
Rousseau's parents spent time in Buffalo and his older brother was born in Western New York.
"She lived there from maybe like '95 to '98 or '99... I know all about it. Jim Kelly... the whole nine yards and they've got the Miami connection for sure."
Rousseau's mother is a frontline nurse, and he believes she got her nursing degree while in Western New York.
He led the ACC with 15.5 sacks in 2019. He's listed at 6-6, 220lbs. and Beane says he'll continue to add size and strength.
The Bills will select 61st overall pick in the second round, and 93rd overall pick in the third round on Friday barring trades.