The Buffalo Bills have drafted defensive end Javon Solomon in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. After trading back five picks with the Green Bay Packers, the Bills added to their defensive line with the addition of the Tallahassee, FL native.
Here are three things to know about Javon Solomon.
1 — Sack machine
At Troy, Solomon led the nation in sacks with 16 – tallying 32.5 total sacks in his five-year career. The edge rusher is quick off the line of scrimmage and has huge hands, measuring at 10-and-three-quarter inches, and a long wingspan of over 80 inches compared to his 6-foot frame.
In addition to his impact in the pass rush, Solomon had three forced fumbles in his final season at Troy.
Solomon was a two-time First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference honoree and was tied for a team lead with 18 tackles for loss. In addition to his work on the outside, Solomon has experience lining up inside the defensive line.
Solomon leaves Troy having set school records in single-season sacks (16) and career sacks (32.5).
2 — An experienced winner
From high school to his time at Troy, Solomon has led his teams to strong performances on the field. After winning just two games in his sophomore season, Solomon led his team to an 11-2 record and a District Championship en route to earning second team All-Conference honors. Solomon had a similarly impressive performance the following season, as his high school won another district title with Solomon earning team MVP and first team All-Conference honors.
At Troy, Solomon and the Trojans won consecutive Sun Belt Conference Football Championships in 2022 and 2023. Solomon finished with two sacks and two forced fumbles in Troy's 2023 conference title win.
3 — Dane Brugler's take on the newest Bills' defensive lineman
Brugler noted that, despite being smaller than many edge rushers in the NFL, Solomon's blend of traits in the pass rush could make him a valuable addition to a defensive line.
"Solomon has a unique collection of traits in a smaller-framed body, but he is disproportionally long with the bend, burst and motor that make him a pass-rushing pest," Brugler wrote. "Solomon's play style is built on spurts of speed, power and having a nose for the football."
With edge rushers Leonard Floyd and Shaq Lawson not currently on the roster, Solomon will have an opportunity to earn snaps early in his NFL career.
In addition to loving football, Solomon has a best friend in his dog, Bumi. He said that getting Bumi made it easier to be away from his family while in college.
