The pre-draft visits continue for the Buffalo Bills, with yet another top-30 meeting happening at the tam’s headquarters this week. Defensive lineman Gracen Halton was recently at One Bills Drive on an official visit, per his Instagram Story share.
The ‘6’3”, 293-pound 3-tech out of the University of Oklahoma has become a hot name in draft circles following an impressive performance at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Halton ran 4.82 in the 40-yard dash, 1.7 in the 10-yard split, 4.79 in the 20-yard
shuffle, 8.07 in the 3-cone drill, while also posting 9’6” in the broad jump and an absurd 36.5” vertical jump.
Impressive as those numbers are for the undersized interior defensive lineman, his game tape and production in 47 games over four seasons with the Sooners shows a player who continues to elevate his game at each level. Halton finished his four-year college career with 84 tackles (34 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two pass defenses, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one fumble return touchdown. The bulk of Halton’s stats came during his junior and senior seasons, with him totaling 63 tackles (27 solo), 13 tackles for loss, those 8.5 sacks and the totality of his defensive fumble production from above (per Sports Reference).
NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein sees Halton as “best suited for a rotational role in a movement-based front,” due to his size limitations but also his true disruptive nature in the trenches. Zierlein also notes that “(f)inding the right scheme fit will be critical for Halton in the NFL.”
Given what we know of Halton at this stage, how and where a defensive lineman of Halton’s unique ability might fit in new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s 3-4 base system remains the key question. Though it’s sometimes detrimental falling in love with players’ explosive combine performances, it’s also unwise to dismiss the work entirely.
In reaching for comparisons, it’s difficult not to see how one might compare Halton to Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver. Buffalo’s alpha defensive tackle, Oliver measured in at 6’2” and 287 pounds, posting a 4.73 40-yard dash, 4.22 short shuttle, 10’ broad jump, 36” vertical, and he put up 32 reps on the bench press.
Where Halton is drafted could be key to the Bills’ interest in selecting him this coming April. Based on his impressive combine results, Halton has begun shooting up draft boards and could hear his name called late in Round 2 or early in Round 3. Might One Bills Drive be that critical fit Zierlein sees as necessary for Gracen Halton?
