The Buffalo Bills selected Adolphus Washington with their third-round selection in the 2016 NFL draft. The former Ohio State standout recorded 142 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four pass breakups and an interception in his 41 career games with the Buckeyes.

Rex Ryan and Bills defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman wasted little time getting the 6-foot-4, 301-pound lineman on the field. Washington has played 150 defensive snaps through Buffalo’s first seven games of the season and has recorded 10 tackles, two sacks and a pass breakup.

Washington has played all over the defensive line, aligning at nose tackle, the three-technique (outside shoulder of an offensive guard) and the five-technique (head up over an offensive tackle) and defensive line coach John Blake had some pretty interesting statements on his student.

“We call him a little puppy, a labrador,” Blake said with a chuckle. “He’ll make a little accident here and there, but again, he’s a rookie and our guys really stay on him because they see the potential there.”

Washington hasn’t had the big impact as a pass rusher that was expected, generating six total quarterback pressures through seven games. But regardless of his mistakes, he’s been surprisingly stout against the run, holding his own at the point of attack and allowing linebackers to fly to the ball.

“He’s very talented, but you know, you’re in the NFL. I like him because you can tell he wants to be good. He’s working to be good and we just have to push him to get to that certain level. I’m just breaking him in like a Ferrari – you know, fast, quick and swift, and just make him go live. But he’s done a good job, man, and I’m excited for him”