Buffalo Bills 2024 NFL Top-30 visit: Analysis of DT Ruke Orhorhoro

Will the Bills look to snag a DT early in the NFL draft?

The Buffalo Bills have met with Clemson DT prospect Ruke Orhorhoro on a Top-30 pre-draft visit. The Bills are likely candidates to add a DT via the NFL Draft and are doing their due diligence by bringing in Orhorhoro for a visit. Let’s see what he brings to the table

College Career

2019: Played in 10 games as a backup

2020: Played in four games as a backup, missed time with an injury

2021: Started nine games and recorded 36 tackles, eight TFL, and 2.5 sacks

2022: All-ACC Honorable Mention. 23 tackles, eight TFL, and four sacks

2023: All-ACC Third-Team. 25 tackles, eight TFL, and four sacks

Clemson had a deep and talented defensive line during Orhorhoro’s time with the team. He was consistently in the rotation and developed into a starter by the time he left. His improvement and ability to stick it out to work his way to the top of the depth chart are good signs of his work ethic.

2024 NFL Scouting Combine

• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 294 pounds
• 40-yard dash: 4.89 seconds (5th among DT)
• 10-yard split: 1.67 seconds (2nd among DT)
• Vertical jump: 32” (4th among DT)
• Broad jump: 9’8” (2nd among DT)
• Bench press: 29 reps (3rd among DT)

As is evident from his RAS score and rankings among DTs in the athletic tests at the combine, Orhorhoro’s an athletic beast at the DT position. Seeing an athlete at his size have the type of numbers he put up at the combine is nothing short of amazing. Orhorhoro proved he is a top athlete at the position, now let’s see how he looks on the field.

Highlights

Orhorhoro showed off the lateral quickness to pull off this twist stunt and get pressure on the QB. Not only did he get the sack but he’s athletic enough to keep the QB contained while trying to scramble. This isn’t something that you see every day from a DT.

Orhorhoro just missed making a great play for a loss here, but take a look at the explosiveness he provided. His leverage and violent hands sent a big man flying.

Two impressive plays in this tweet. Pay attention to how quickly Orhorhoro got off the ball and also how fast he was with his hands when engaged with the offensive lineman.

Pros

• Explosive off the ball and consistently engages his opponent first
• His leverage game is impressive, showing a propensity to win the leverage battle with authority
• Hand placement skills are advanced
• Showed an improvement in his pass-rushing skills in his senior year
• Has the quickness to be effective in stunts

Cons

• Play recognition skills aren’t the greatest, gets to caught up in beating his man and loses where the ball is
• Needs to polish his pass rush skills if he wants to be effective in the NFL
• Isn’t a block eater in the run game

How Ruke Orhorhoro fits with the Buffalo Bills

I think Orhorhoro would be a fantastic fit for the Bills and fits the mold of what they are looking for in a defensive tackle. There wouldn’t be any pressure for him to start right away. This means he could develop as a rotational player, but still have a role and produce when he gets on the field.

Orhorhoro’s athletic profile makes him an exciting prospect with the tools to turn into an NFL starter. With some development and tutelage from Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones, he could be a starter before his rookie contract is up, if Buffalo were to draft him. Orhorhoro is a Day 2 prospect in this year’s draft, so if the Bills want him they’ll likely have to select him with their second-round pick or trade up into the third round to snag him.