The Bills’ Secret Weapon – Buffalo Bills Eyeing Underrated Defensive Tackle Ty Robinson as Potential 2025 Draft Steal. With the 2025 NFL Draft looming, speculation is swirling about how the Buffalo Bills will reinforce their defensive line. Most fans and analysts have their eyes set on a disruptive interior anchor, particularly someone to plug gaps and command double teams. But don’t be surprised if general manager Brandon Beane takes a different — and potentially brilliant — route.
One name that’s starting to gain traction in Bills circles is Ty Robinson, the standout defensive tackle from Nebraska, who is quietly flying under the radar despite a strong college career and impressive draft process.
A Hidden Gem in the Trenches
Robinson is not your prototypical nose tackle, but what he lacks in mass, he more than makes up for in motor, versatility, and athleticism. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 288 pounds, Robinson has the frame of a pass-rushing interior lineman, and his production in the Big Ten backs it up. In his final season with the Cornhuskers, Robinson totaled 12.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and even showed off his awareness with four passes batted down.
While most projections have Robinson slipping into Day 3 of the draft, that might be a miscalculation — and a potential opportunity for the Bills.
The Bills’ Secret Weapon – Elite Testing and Eye-Catching Potential
Robinson turned heads during his week at the Senior Bowl, where he was noted for his quick first step and active hands. But it was at the NFL Scouting Combine where he truly began to rewrite his draft narrative.
His combine numbers were electric for a player of his size:
- 33.5-inch vertical
- 9’11” broad jump
- 4.83-second 40-yard dash
- 1.71-second 10-yard split
That type of explosiveness is what the Bills covet in their defensive linemen — athletes who can shoot gaps and collapse pockets. Buffalo’s front office has a track record of valuing traits and upside, and Robinson fits that mold to a tee.
The Bills’ Secret Weapon – Scheme Fit and Positional Flexibility
The Bills are still trying to rebuild and redefine their defensive front after the departure of long-time staples like Ed Oliver potentially nearing contract crossroads and veteran rotational players aging out. Robinson isn’t the pure space-eater who demands double teams every snap, but that’s not his role.
He’s a rotational 3-tech who can slide across the line, from the a-gap to even outside the tackle, providing depth and flexibility. Buffalo doesn’t just need stars — they need guys who can eat meaningful snaps, stay disciplined, and offer juice when the starters rotate out. Robinson checks all those boxes.
And even if the Bills take a bigger-bodied 1-technique earlier in the draft, Robinson still makes sense. His skill set complements a traditional run stuffer, giving Buffalo the kind of interior rotation that can generate pressure without blitzing.
The Beane Blueprint
Brandon Beane has never shied away from betting on raw tools and high-ceiling players, especially in the mid-to-late rounds. Robinson’s athleticism, size, versatility, and production make him a perfect fit for the Bills’ long-term plan. With proper development, he could blossom into one of the most impactful value picks of the 2025 NFL Draft.
So while most eyes will be on marquee names in Round 1, don’t be shocked if the Bills steal headlines later in the draft — with Ty Robinson’s name leading the charge.