The Buffalo Bills never had any doubt about selecting University of Miami defensive end Greg Rousseau in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Buffalo showcases its pre-draft process in an incredible YouTube series, “Bills Embedded.” The episode released Thursday night shows behind the scenes clips from numerous points in the offseason, from the end of the AFC Championship Game through draft night. It doesn’t take long to see Rousseau was at the top of the Bills’ wish list.
The episode starts off with head coach Sean McDermott, general manager Brandon Beane and the rest of Buffalo’s staff marveling over the viral photograph of Rousseau dwarfing McDermott when they first met. Rousseau’s hand is also blocking out Beane.
“This guy’s arm length… you just don’t come across that very much,” Beane says in the video.
But if Rousseau’s build and physical skills initially attracted the Bills, his warm personality sealed the deal. The video shows clips of Rousseau’s initial chat with Bills defensive line coach Eric Washington, who says it was the best pre-draft interview he’s conducted in several years.
“I would love to work with you,” Washington said. “This is as good of an interview as I’ve done in several years. Hopefully in two or three weeks we’ll be making a call, and you and I will be confirming that we’ll be working together.”
When the Bills got on the clock at No. 30 overall back on April 29, they wasted no time dialing Rousseau's number. Scout Mike Szabo performed the honors of telling Rousseau he was coming up to Orchard Park.
Rousseau has made no secret about his desire to play for the Bills. Following the draft, he said Buffalo was really the only place he wanted to go while appearing on the “Howard and Jeremy Show” on WGR. After all, his mother had lived in the city for five years, providing him with a first rate education about "Bills Mafia."
“I had really good vibes from the Bills,” he said. “Just really good vibes.”
It’s apparent the feeling was mutual.