Buffalo Plus Podcast: Greg Rousseau on the Bills Offseason Changes, His New Number, & NFL Draft Hidden Gems

Date: April 14, 2026
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fates
Guest: Greg Rousseau, Buffalo Bills Edge Rusher

Episode Overview

This episode of Buffalo Plus focuses on the Buffalo Bills’ offseason changes, draft strategies, and features a candid player interview. The trio—Mike, Jenna, and Dan—discuss potential draft "hidden gems" for the Bills in rounds two and three, evaluating prospects beyond the typical first-round buzz. The highlight is a detailed interview with Bills edge rusher Greg Rousseau, who shares insight on the defensive transition under new coordinator Jim Leonhard, his new jersey number, his offseason mindset, and what the community can expect from him and the team moving forward.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hidden Gems & Draft Strategy: Day 2 and 3 Prospects

(02:21 – 33:03)

• Draft Approach Beyond Round One:

  • With Buffalo picking late in the first round, the hosts are especially interested in day two and three prospects.
  • Mike: “I like day two better than I like day one for this draft in particular… It just feels like you’ve got two picks in many cases” (04:51)

• Wide Receiver Prospects (Heavy Emphasis):

  • Jenna’s “wide receivers for days” approach, presenting at least one WR per round:
    • Skyler Bell (UConn) [Second Round]: “100 catches, 1200 yards, 13 touchdowns… great route running and contested catches. He had a big game against Syracuse” – Jenna (06:17)
    • Malachi Fields (Virginia/Notre Dame) [Late 2nd/Early 3rd]: “Big, 6’4” X receiver… interesting skillset, maybe more third-round” – Mike (07:13)
    • Ted Hurst (Georgia State) [3rd Round]: “Four-year starter, 6’4” with a 4.42 40 time… big upside even if there’s a learning curve” – Mike & Jenna (08:11 – 09:12)
    • Junior Vandross III (Toledo) [Later Rounds]: “5’8” slot guy, tons of YAC, high-volume pass catcher, good value” – Mike (10:44)
    • Jacoby Lane (USC) [4th Round]: “6’4”, 4.47 40… adds size and speed, helping the X position” – Jenna (11:49)
    • Brennan Thompson (Mississippi State) [Favorite, Day 3]: “Fast as… [bleep], 4.26 40. 5’9” 165, just pure speed.” – Jenna (12:52)
    • Kaden Wetgen (Iowa) [6th Round]: “Best returner in the country, 5 punt return TDs, value as a special teams ace” – Jenna (13:23)

• Other Positions—Edge, Linebacker, O-Line, and More:

  • Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech LB) [2nd-3rd]: “Won every award, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Unanimous All-American… just that dude.” – Dan (16:18)
    • Discussion: The risk of “overdrafting” a great but undervalued player.
  • Gabe Aus (Illinois EDGE) [Day 2]: “11 sacks in 2025, first-team All-Big Ten. Play style: more steak than sizzle… comp is Matthew Judon. Former wrestler.” – Dan (19:44 – 20:14)
  • Michael Tafy (Texas Safety): “First-team All-SEC, walk-on turned All-American. Coverage safety, size concerns at 6’0” 193 lbs.” – Dan (20:59)
  • Josiah Trotter (Missouri LB): “Plays like a hitter, thumper. Not a cover guy, effective against the run, special-teams value.” – Mike (21:33)
  • Markel Bell (Miami Tackle): “6’9”, 346 lbs… just a giant, could play guard short-term. Mountain of a man.” – Mike (24:07 – 25:19)

• Late- and Special-Teams Picks Discussion:

  • Drew Aller (Penn State QB) [5th/6th]: “Might be a flyer for a cheap backup; backup QB room is pretty thin.” – Mike (29:21)
  • Jack Stonehouse (Syracuse, Punter): “1st-team All-ACC; possible value for 7th round or UDFA” – Dan (30:52)
  • Demond Clairborne (Wake Forest RB): “Interesting running back for late rounds; worth looking at for competition.” – Dan (32:00)

• On Value vs. Fit:

  • Both hosts and guest reference the risk/reward of “stretching” for a good fit; referencing Lions’ controversial picks of Jameer Gibbs & Jack Campbell as successful “reaches.” (18:45)

Notable Quotes

• Jenna (about WRs): “I wanted to give every round a wideout for people on team WR to root for.” (07:02)
• Mike (on Bell): "Mountainous tackle with rare physical attributes… Markel Bell's a cool name." (25:12)
• Dan (on Aus): "His play is more steak than sizzle… and I love steak and sizzle." (20:28)

2. Greg Rousseau Interview – Bills Defense, Offseason, and New Number

(33:08 – 50:17)

Charity & Team Culture

• Greg's Charity Softball Game (34:00 – 36:09)
  • Proceeds support various foundations run by Bills players, giving back to both Buffalo community and players’ initiatives.
  • “It’s not like the Greg Russo game. It’s just a game for the team… so it’s cool to keep it here.” – Greg (34:17)
  • Emphasizes community connection—players and fans mingle, relaxed vibe.

Defensive Transition Under Jim Leonhard

• New Scheme: Greg expects more “edge” and stand-up roles, adapting to a 3-4, which enables him to reclaim his college number (15).
• On Jim Leonhard: “He knows what he’s talking about. He’s played for years and years… so I mean, I’m excited.” (38:54)
• Player-Coach Perspective: Appreciates Leonard’s dual perspective—having been both a Bill and an NFL player, not just a coach. (39:35)

On Roster Turnover & Embracing Change

• “When you’re in a profession, you got to be able to embrace change and be like water… you kind of got to get on the train and keep going and try to tweak the culture.” (40:19)

New Number, New Role

• “You picked 15. Is that why? 15 sacks?” – Mike
• “Sounds accurate... I love 15, had it in college, couldn’t get it before because we were 4-3, but now we’re 3-4.” – Greg (41:12 – 41:41)

Vibes Under Joe Brady as Head Coach

• “A lot of change, but it’s Joe Brady. He’s been here, understands the standard… he’s eager to get better in every way and we’re all following suit.” (44:44)

Offseason Activities

• Greg spends time training, but outside football: “I like anime, I like taking pictures… got this Fuji film camera. When I travel, I use that.” (45:45 – 46:03)
• Big fan of The Walking Dead comics.

Not Being Recognized in Public

• “I wear a hoodie or sweatpants… try to fly below the radar. I don’t want to be fishing for attention.” (47:23)

Fun Lightning Round

• Charity Softball MVPs: “Josh [Allen], but D.C. (Dwayne Carter) is nice too.”
• Players who talk a big game: “All those guys [like K.J. Hamler, Isaiah McKenzie]—they think they’re good at everything!” (48:56 – 49:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Embracing Change:
  “You got be able to embrace change and be like water… we have the pen in our hands, we got to write our own story.”
  – Greg Rousseau (40:19)
• On His New Number:
  “Sounds accurate [to aim for 15 sacks]. I had [#15] in college, couldn’t get it before… I love 15.”
  – Greg Rousseau (41:18)
• On Jim Leonhard as DC:
  “He knows, he knows what he’s talking about… it’s cool being able to listen from a coach’s point of view, but also from a player’s… he was in our shoes.”
  – Greg Rousseau (38:54 – 39:53)
• On Being Recognized Off the Field:
  “I wear a hoodie or like sweatpants… I just want to fly below the radar.”
  – Greg Rousseau (47:23)
• On Greg’s Photo Hobby:
  “I got this Fuji film camera… When I travel, I use that.”
  – Greg Rousseau (45:59)
• Mike’s Admiration:
  “Nobody has been a bigger fan of you than this man sitting across here. …He’s been calling like 12 sacks for you, for like nine years before you were even in Buffalo.”
  – Jenna (42:57)
• Steak vs. Sizzle:
  “His play is more steak than sizzle… and I love steak and sizzle. Dan is the sizzle on the steak.”
  – Dan and Mike (20:28 – 20:46)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Draft, WR Discussion: 02:21 – 16:00
• Edge/Linebacker Prospects: 16:00 – 22:30
• Offensive Line, Late-Round Flyers: 22:30 – 33:03
• Greg Rousseau Interview – Opening/Softball Charity: 33:08 – 36:09
• Greg on Defensive Changes & Jim Leonhard: 38:00 – 39:53
• On Team Changes & New Number: 40:19 – 41:41
• Joe Brady Era & Offseason Vibes: 44:44 – 45:24
• Greg’s Hobbies/Offseason Life: 45:45 – 47:23
• Softball G.O.A.T.s & Locker Room Fun: 48:48 – 49:12

Conclusion & Final Takeaways

• Hosts’ Reflection: They express hope—shared by the fanbase— that Rousseau will finally have his double-digit sack, breakout season and become a “difference maker” on defense. (51:12)
• Community Engagement: The June 7th softball game is a highlight for fans seeking personal connections with players.
• Draft Outlook: The show offers a rich menu of under-the-radar prospects for Bills fans to watch throughout the draft, with thorough justifications for each positional target.
• Inside the Locker Room: The Rousseau interview provides genuine insight into offseason transitions for players and staff, highlighting both excitement and adaptability in the face of change.

Feel free to [revisit important draft ideas at 02:21-33:03] and [jump to the Rousseau interview at 33:08] for the core content of this episode.