The Buffalo Bills started Day 3 of the NFL draft much like they did Day 1, by trading back. They moved back one spot in the fourth round and selected Boston College offensive tackle Jude Bowry with pick 102.
Bowry spent all four years of his college career at BC, becoming the full-time starter over the final two years. He’s an athletic and powerful tackle, but he lacks length and size for the position.
He has the tools to be a quality depth player for the Bills right away, but will need to master his hand technique and placement to make up for having shorter arms if he wants to be a full-time starter in Buffalo. He’s played tackle in his career but it remains to be seen if the Bills think he could slide inside to guard.
Bottom line
It’s easy to question drafting a depth piece when more pressing needs can be argued, but general manager Brandon Beane has proven that he’s being more proactive in this year’s draft and addressing depth issues before they become glaring.
The Bills offensive line has its concerns in both the present and the future. The starter at left guard has yet to be named, the future of an aging-Dion Dawkins is unclear, and O’Cyrus Torrence will be due for a pay day.
Bowry was projected to be a fourth-round pick by many, and NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein was quoted as saying, “Bowry is a plus-athlete who could be targeted as a swing tackle on the second or third day of the draft.”
Draft Grade: B-
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Grading Bills’ selection of Jude Bowry at No. 102
Reporting by Kam Towle, Bills Wire / Bills Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
