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Former Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker may not be entering the NFL with the same buzz he had after his monster 2024 season, but CBS Sports still sees a player with serious breakout potential.
CBS Sports named Parker as an under-the-radar player who could make an early impact for the Buffalo Bills. The Bills selected Parker in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft after trading out of the first round, making the former Clemson pass rusher their first pick of the draft.
Parker’s production dipped in 2025 after an absurd 2024 campaign. He went from 57 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and six forced fumbles in 2024 to 37 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and no forced fumbles last season. On paper, that looks like a pretty obvious regression.
Parker was still a physical, high-effort edge defender who could overwhelm tackles with power though. His long arms, strength and ability to set a hard edge gave him a clear NFL path, even during a disappointing Clemson season. He showed more variety as a pass rusher in 2025, mixing in swipes and spin moves instead of relying only on power.
The concern is whether he can become sudden enough to win at the next level consistently. Parker is not the bendiest edge rusher, and his change-of-direction ability can show up when he has to redirect in space. That also leads to missed tackles, which Buffalo will have to clean up.
The Bills needed more juice off the edge after finishing in the bottom half of the league in sacks last season, and Parker gives them a young pass rusher with real power, production, and developmental upside. Veteran Bradley Chubb is expected to play a major role, but Parker should have a chance to factor in early.
For Clemson fans, this is a familiar conversation. Parker’s 2025 season was not the fireworks show that 2024 was, but the talent never disappeared. CBS Sports is betting that the version of Parker who wrecked games in 2024 is still in there, and if Buffalo can help unlock it, the Bills may have found one of the more important young pieces in their pass rush.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: CBS Sports sees major upside for former Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker
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CBS Sports named Parker as an under-the-radar player who could make an early impact for the Buffalo Bills. The Bills selected Parker in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft after trading out of the first round, making the former Clemson pass rusher their first pick of the draft.
Parker’s production dipped in 2025 after an absurd 2024 campaign. He went from 57 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and six forced fumbles in 2024 to 37 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and no forced fumbles last season. On paper, that looks like a pretty obvious regression.
Parker was still a physical, high-effort edge defender who could overwhelm tackles with power though. His long arms, strength and ability to set a hard edge gave him a clear NFL path, even during a disappointing Clemson season. He showed more variety as a pass rusher in 2025, mixing in swipes and spin moves instead of relying only on power.
The concern is whether he can become sudden enough to win at the next level consistently. Parker is not the bendiest edge rusher, and his change-of-direction ability can show up when he has to redirect in space. That also leads to missed tackles, which Buffalo will have to clean up.
The Bills needed more juice off the edge after finishing in the bottom half of the league in sacks last season, and Parker gives them a young pass rusher with real power, production, and developmental upside. Veteran Bradley Chubb is expected to play a major role, but Parker should have a chance to factor in early.
For Clemson fans, this is a familiar conversation. Parker’s 2025 season was not the fireworks show that 2024 was, but the talent never disappeared. CBS Sports is betting that the version of Parker who wrecked games in 2024 is still in there, and if Buffalo can help unlock it, the Bills may have found one of the more important young pieces in their pass rush.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: CBS Sports sees major upside for former Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker
Continue reading...
