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Despite being one of the more enigmatic prospects in draft circles, Gregory Rousseau has found a new home and has opportunity to prove any doubters wrong as he was selected 30th overall by Buffalo Bills.
After seeing his teammate, Jaelan Phillips, go just a few picks before, Rousseau didn’t have to wait much longer as he will be heading from sunny Miami to chilly Buffalo. He will also be in the AFC East along with Phillips.
Miami becomes the first team to have two defensive ends drafted in the first round since NC State had Mario Williams and Manny Lawson drafted in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Williams and Lawson were coached by University of Miami’s own, Todd Stroud, and Williams and Lawson also were guided defensively by current Miami HC, Manny Diaz (who was NC State’s DC).
As it turns out, Rousseau’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was correct when he stated multiple NFL teams would pick Rousseau if he was available when they were on the clock. Rousseau joins Phillips as it marks the first time Miami has had two defensive players selected in the first round since 2007 (Brandon Meriweather and Jon Beason).
In 2019, Rousseau earned the starting job as he compiled bolstering numbers: 54 Tackles, 19.5 TFL, 15.5 Sacks, 2 FF in 13 games (7 games started). His 15.5 sacks trailed only 2020 second overall pick, Chase Young. He also features a near 6’7” frame and 83.25-inch wingspan and should bring a commanding presence against opposing QBs. After opting out this past season, however, there remained about Rousseau’s raw ability and small sample size at defensive end (played safety and wide receiver most of high school).
Miami is holding its Pro Day today, broadcast on ACC Network. With Gregory Rousseau and Jaelan Phillips, Miami could become the first school since NC State in 2006 with Mario Williams and Manny Lawson to have two defensive ends go in the first round.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 29, 2021
After a visit to the AFC Championship in 2020, Buffalo could use some help on the front line. They drafted another lengthy EDGE guy last year in Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa, but the depth is not quite there. Rousseau should certainly help with that.
GR15 will exhale with JP15 as they await the announcement of Quincy Roche, Brevin Jordan, and Jose Borregales throughout the weekend.