Greg Gaines (defensive lineman)

Greg Gaines
No. 97 – Buffalo Bills
PositionNose tackle
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (1996-05-06) May 6, 1996
La Habra, California, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight312 lb (142 kg)
Career information
High schoolLa Habra
CollegeWashington (2014–2018)
NFL draft2019: 4th round, 134th overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics as of 2025
Total tackles186
Sacks14.5
Fumble recoveries2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Greg Gaines (born May 6, 1996) is an American professional football nose tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Los Angeles Rams, for whom he won Super Bowl LVI. He played college football for the Washington Huskies.

Early life

Gaines attended La Habra High School in La Habra, California. Gaines originally committed to attend Boise State, but followed head coach Chris Petersen from Boise State to Washington when he became head coach.[1]

College career

Gaines played at Washington from 2015 to 2018, with 2014 serving as a red-shirt season. He earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 Conference in 2016 as a defensive lineman, second-team All-Pac-12 in 2017, and first-team All-Pac-12 in 2018. In 2018 he won the Morris Trophy, given annually to the best defensive lineman in the Pac-12 as voted on by opposing players.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m)
312 lb
(142 kg)
31+1⁄4 in
(0.79 m)
9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)
6 ft 3+7⁄8 in
(1.93 m)
5.15 s1.76 s2.97 s4.67 s7.75 s31.0 in
(0.79 m)
9 ft 1 in
(2.77 m)
30 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[2][3][4][5]

Los Angeles Rams

Gaines was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round (134th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.[6][7] Gaines won Super Bowl LVI when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20. Gaines recorded three tackles in the game.[8]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On March 23, 2023, Gaines signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[9] He played in all 17 games, recording 24 tackles and one sack in a rotational role.

On March 12, 2024, Gaines signed a one-year contract extension with the Buccaneers.[10] He played in 15 games with three starts, recording 17 tackles and one sack.

On March 13, 2025, Gaines re-signed with the Buccaneers on a one-year, $3.5 million contract.[11]

Buffalo Bills

On August 18, 2026, Gaines signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills.[12]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFumFRYdsTD
2019LAR 10013670.50000.000000000
2020LAR 16018991.51000.000000100
2021LAR 17135528274.54000.000000000
2022LAR 16123616204.06000.000000000
2023TB 172247171.00000.000000100
2024TB 153177101.02000.000000000
2025TB 1742312112.03000.000000000
Career 108341868510114.516000.000000200

Postseason

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFumFRYdsTD
2020LAR 203210.01000.000000000
2021LAR 4412390.51000.000200000
2023TB 203121.01000.000000000
2024TB 106330.01000.000000000
Career 94249151.54000.000200000

References

  1. ↑ Caple, Jim (November 15, 2017). "Huskies' Greg Gaines has tackled marriage, cliff-diving and college football. Is the NFL next?". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Greg Gaines Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  3. ↑ "2019 Draft Scout Greg Gaines, Washington NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Draft Tracker 2019". NFL.com. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Greg Gaines 2019 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  6. ↑ Kremenjas, Sosa (April 27, 2019). "2019 NFL Draft Results: LA Rams trade up, select Washington Huskies NT Greg Gaines". Turf Show Times. SB Nation. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  7. ↑ Patra, Kevin (February 13, 2022). "Super Bowl LVI: What we learned from Rams' win over Bengals". NFL.com. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Super Bowl LVI - Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals - February 13th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  9. ↑ Smith, Scott (March 23, 2023). "Bucs Land Greg Gaines to Reinforce Defensive Front". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  10. ↑ Smith, Scott (March 12, 2024). "Bucs, Greg Gaines Work Out One-Year Deal". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  11. ↑ Smith, Scott (March 13, 2025). "Greg Gaines Returns for Third Season in Tampa". Buccaneers.com.
  12. ↑ White, Alec (August 18, 2026). "Bills sign veteran DL Greg Gaines". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved August 18, 2026.