Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - In the days leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, WGR will provide profiles on some players that could be a good fit for the Buffalo Bills at positions of need.
One position the Bills may make a priority at the draft is on the edge, and establishing a pass rush that can help make life easier for new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Jaishawn Barham has been a standout at every level of football at which he has played.
Ranked the third-best prospect in the State of Maryland after his high school career, Barham originally committed to the University of South Carolina, but eventually decided to stay in his home state and play for the University of Maryland in the Big 10.
In two seasons with the Terps, the District Heights, Maryland native saw action in 23 games. He started as a true freshman in 2022, and led the team in tackles for loss. He led all Freshmen in the conference in total tackles. Barham was an All-Big 10 honorable mention in 2022 and 2023.
Then the University of Michigan came calling, so he moved to Ann Arbor to join the Wolverines.
Barham played both edge and linebacker at Michigan. In 2024, he started every game and ended up second on the team in tackles. Against arch rival Ohio State University, Barham was named Defensive Player of the Game in the Wolverines’ victory.
Last season, Barham started 11 games and had an All-Big 10 performance.
In two years with Michigan, Barham played 17 games at linebacker and seven at edge. He recorded 98 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and five passes defended.
Joe Marino does draft analysis work for WGR, and can also be heard on the “Locked on Bills” podcast. His work can also be found at TheJoeMarino.com. Here is what he has to say about Barham:
Positives:
Just terrific versatility. If you were somebody that believed the Bills were going to be in on linebacker Leo Chanel, this is probably the player you would draft. You'd get that similar type player.
You can play him as a stack linebacker off the ball. He can read and react and process. But this past year, he started to play on the edge for Michigan. You saw a lot of skill there with how he can make an impact playing on the ball, lined up outside of tight ends and tackles. Whether it's defending the run, rushing or playing in coverage, there's a really unique skill set here.
I think of him as a front-seven weapon. You've heard the Bills talk about positionless players, that's what you get here. He can play all over the place and do a lot of different things. He's physical, he's got an unrelenting motor. There's something to be said about maybe not having anything mastered. But it's the way that he can help in so many different ways combined with a lot of athleticism. He's a smaller guy, as he's 240 pounds, but he's got over 34-inch arms.
There's quite a bit that he can do, in terms of just being a front-seven weapon and adding a lot of diversity to the scheme. And just being a versatile player that can help in so many different ways.
Negatives:
I just don't think he's a super nuanced pass rusher. You love the idea of all the things he can do, but the most important thing will be can he rush?
He's got a nice foundation of bursts, flexibility and length, but the technical side of that is just behind. He can get wide with his rush. He doesn't protect his frame as well as he needs to, so when hands are on him, he can get bumped and knocked off course.
He'll have to develop more of a profile of moves that he can deploy as opposed to, ‘I'm just more athletic and long, and I play with a hot motor.’ He's going to have to have some technique about him. He can be aggressive to a fault. You love how tenacious he is, but that doesn't mean it's not going to get him in trouble, maybe overrunning plays or over-pursuing or being out of his gap.
There's a lot of appeal here, but you have to hone in on getting him into a position where he's super comfortable to help your defense and not hurt it.
WGR will provide full coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft during all seven rounds, starting Thursday, April 23 and continuing through Saturday, April 25.
Barham is one of the pass-rushing prospects hoping to hear his name called on Day 1 of the draft
Barham is one of the pass-rushing prospects hoping to hear his name called on Day 1 of the draft
