The Buffalo Bills added Boston College offensive tackle Jude Bowry to their 2026 draft class in the fourth round with the 102nd overall pick.
The team is eyeing a Super Bowl with Josh Allen in his prime, and adding cost-efficient developmental talent in the trenches can help their rotation in a cap-friendly fashion.
At 6-foot-5, 314 pounds, Bowry brings exactly the kind of profile that fits Buffalo’s offensive line and provides the Bills with a talent who could develop into a starter in the future.
He played left tackle for former NFL head coach Bill O’Brien’s Eagles at Boston College and was a team captain, has experience on the right side, and offers positional flex inside to guard if needed.
“Wherever the team needs me,” he told reporters about his willingness to play tackle or guard. “I’m going to work my tail off, try to be the best I can be.”
He also did not allow a sack across 307 pass-blocking snaps in 2025, a high-value attribute in Buffalo’s offense, and he also had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl in January. The Germantown, MD native cites Laremy Tunsil, Trent Williams, and Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins as the players he studies.
Dawkins, who turns 32 this offseason, has been Allen’s protection for some time. Thus far this offseason, he has not reworked his cap hit to help the front office off the field, despite being one of the team leaders in penalties last season. On the field, Bowry will aim to develop behind him and learn from him.
“I’m excited to get into the building and work with him and Spencer Brown,” the new Bill said.
Buffalo has not invested premium draft capital at tackle in quite some time, with Dawkins holding down his spot. Bowry is not a lock heir-apparent, necessarily, but does signal the team is thinking about the future at the position.
His introductory Zoom signaled some good early returns — thanking reporters by name, smiling through every answer, openly emotional about being on the call, and joining Buffalo.
“I was bawling my eyes out,” Bowry said. “I was so emotional when I got the call, when he said they were going to turn the pick in. It’s a surreal moment.”
“I cried. Cried a lot. I worked toward this goal. I know it’s just the beginning. I’m happy the Buffalo Bills took a chance on me.”
O’Brien, who has an eye for pro-level talent, threw his support behind the rookie as well.
“He’s a very positive guy and a great person, and he comes from an awesome family,” the Boston College head coach said. “He loves football, and he wants to be great, and he approaches it that way every day.”
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: What hole rookie Jude Bowry will fill on the Bills
Reporting by David Benjamin De Cristofaro, Bills Wire / Bills Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
