The Buffalo Bills made their first pick on offense to start Day 3 of the NFL Draft on Saturday.
Buffalo traded down one spot, sending pick No. 101 to the Las Vegas Raiders for No. 102 and a 2027 seventh-round pick, then selected Boston College offensive tackle Jude Bowry.
Bowry started primarily at left tackle in college and brings athletic traits that give him developmental upside. He has the movement skills to handle speed and work in space, though scouts note he will need to improve his hand usage and consistency.
Bowry said he is willing to play tackle or guard.
“Wherever the team needs me,” he told reporters. “I’m going to work my tail off, try to be the best I can be.”
The moment was emotional.
“I cried. Cried a lot,” Bowry said of getting the call from Buffalo. “I worked toward this goal. I know it’s just the beginning. I’m happy the Buffalo Bills took a chance on me.”
Bowry is eager to learn from Buffalo’s veterans and says he watches tape of Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins.
“I’m excited to get into the building and work with him and Spencer Brown,” Bowry said.
Here is how draft experts graded the pick:
USA TODAY
The Bills entered the 2026 NFL Draft needing depth at the offensive tackle spot. Bowry is a high-ceiling athlete with two years of starting experience on the left side. He will need to iron out his inconsistencies at the NFL level, but he showed his upside by not allowing a single sack in his final season at Boston College.
Grade: B
CBS Sports
Bowry is a big, powerful offensive lineman who brings versatility to Buffalo’s offensive line after the team lost David Edwards in free agency. His better tape may have been in 2024. (Josh Edwards)
Grade: A
Walter Football
The Bills lost personnel on the offensive line this offseason, so it makes sense for them to make this pick. Jude Bowry can play both tackle and guard, and I thought he’d go in the Round 3-4 range.
Grade: B+
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bills draft grades: Athletic tackle brought to tears when Buffalo called
Reporting by Ryan Miller, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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