Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. during a game, an emerging NFL Draft prospect linked to Buffalo Bills.
Getty
Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. has been projected as a high-upside NFL Draft target as the Buffalo Bills weigh options amid uncertainty at the position.
The Buffalo Bills may be lining up a major defensive move ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, with a fast-rising linebacker prospect now emerging as a potential first-round solution amid growing uncertainty at the position. The Bills have a soft spot in their defense at the linebacker position, especially with the lengthy injury history of 2022 third-round draft pick Terrel Bernard.
One analyst believes the Bills may not be able to wait much longer to address the issue. On Wednesday, a leading Bills commentator projected that the Bills could strengthen that weak spot with their first-round draft pick, No. 26 overall, and the analyst, Locked On Bills host Joe Marino, has one specific “preferred” prospect for Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane to target.
Described by NFL.com as playing with the “demeanor and production of a future Pro Bowler,” Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill is projected as a second-round pick by the Mock Draft Database.
But Hill may not be quite as much of a reach as the MDD projection would suggest. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound Hill “has been on the radar of NFL scouts for quite some time now, with many pegging him as a potential top-15 pick,” according to an MDD scouting report. The reason he has slipped, at least in draft projections, is that “Hill has not quite replicated his dominant 2024 form this season.”
In 2024, Hill registered eight sacks and led the SEC in tackles for loss with 16 1/2. In 2025, those numbers dropped to four and seven, respectively. Hill was limited to only 10 games for the Longhorns in 2025 due to a hand injury, and while running his 40-yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine, he felt “tightness in his hamstring,” and did not take part in in-field drills.
Bills Need Linebacker Upgrade: Marino
On his Wednesday edition of Locked On Bills, Marino noted that the Bills “haven’t really done anything at linebacker” this offseason, and that “sets the stage” for Beane to go all in at the position with the 26th pick.
“First up, Anthony Hill out of Texas,” Marino said on the Wednesday program. “Heck of an athlete here. Why should the Bills consider drafting Anthony Hill out of Texas? Well, there’s a lot to like. The size profile, the athletic profile, the physical traits are what you’re looking for… He’s got great range and coverage ability, and that’s the money thing with NFL linebackers. … There’s a lot to like here. He’s a really appealing player with a lot of playmaking potential.”
In naming Hill as his choice for the No. 26 pick, Marino noted that he was not expecting Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles or fellow Buckeye Arvell Reese to remain on the board by the time the Bills pick came up.
Hill Called Comparable to Reese
Per an NFL Draft Buzz scouting report, Hill’s “ball production is off the charts with eight career forced fumbles against SEC competition. He has a nose for the football and weaponizes his hands at the point of attack to separate runners from the rock.”
The Mock Draft Database report compared Hill to Reese.
“Hill shares many similarities with Reese, showcasing a combination of size, athleticism, and the ability to contribute in various defensive roles. He is known for his downhill style of play, impeccable instincts, and controlled violence on the field,” the MDD report said.
Marino’s conclusion on the linebacker position for the Bills, to solve the Terrel Bernard uncertainty? “If the Bills took one at 26, let it be Anthony Hill.”