Wide receiver and pass rusher are among the Buffalo Bills’ top needs heading into this weekend’s Senior Bowl. Michigan State’s Kenny Willekes stood out in Saturday’s game with two sacks.
Prior to doing that for the North team in their 34-17 win, he met with the Bills during the week’s practices, according to a source.
In around 30 snaps played, Willekes also recorded four tackles in the game and drew a holding penalty.
Along with potentially losing Shaq Lawson as he’s a pending free agent this offseason, the Bills could just use more sacks and production from their pass rushers. Jordan Phillips, also a free agent, led the Bills with sacks from the middle of their defensive line with 9.5 in 2019.
Willekes was a fifth-year senior for Michigan State and a team captain. He had 78 tackles, including 16 for a loss, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 2019. He’s the Spartans all-time leader in tackles for loss with 51 in his college career.
Willekes told MLive.com that his draft-stock evaluations from NFL teams this week were all over the place.
“I’ve heard everything from first round, second round, third round, fourth round, fifth round. I mean, I’ve heard it all. So I’m not putting too much stock in the evaluation and just trying to come out here each and every day trying to get better, and show I have the ability to go in the high rounds,” he said.
Out of high school, Willekes only had an offer to play for Weber State, but instead opted to attempt to walk-on at Michigan State, which he did successfully. Perhaps another aspect of his mentality the Bills front office will like.
That didn’t take long💨
Kenny Willekes gets to Justin Herbert!
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) January 25, 2020
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