The Buffalo Bills have found themselves with a stroke of good fortune in how the 2026 NFL Draft aligns with the team’s needs. Buffalo is looking to address a plethora of roster holes throughout March and April amid an overhaul in the coaching ranks.
To know where needs align, we must reset the Bills’ needs list in terms of where young talent is a major point of emphasis. Let’s dive in…
Wide Receiver
The talk of the town has been the receiver spot and how president of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane will address it this offseason. Wide receiver Keon Coleman looks like a failed draft selection after just two years as someone riddled with on- and off-field issues. The team hasn’t recently sunk draft capital into young talent outside of the selection of Coleman.
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It seems likely that at least one premier selection will be utilized to select a receiver in the 2026 class.
Interior Offensive Line
The organization has taken some swings on young talent in the draft throughout the middle to late rounds in recent years. However, pending free-agent starters in center Connor McGovern and left guard David Edwards could potentially leave glaring holes on the interior. Former Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger is a potential replacement option as is long-time contributor Alec Anderson.
It wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see the Bills address this in some way. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be a significant pick — rather adding and stacking competitive talent for the roster.
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Defensive End/Edge Rusher
The Bills seem primed to lose 2025 big-ticket signing Joey Bosa and perhaps long-time Bill A.J. Epenesa. A switch in defensive scheme with Jim Leonhard at the helm now may additionally lead to Buffalo sinking investments in different body types. Defensive end Gregory Rousseau may be set for more opportunities on the interior. Defensive end Michael Hoecht, despite looking great in his opportunities, is coming off a midseason Achilles rupture. Third-round edge rusher Landon Jackson had a multi-ligament knee tear midseason as well.
The team has more questions than answers at this spot — another massive need entering the offseason with potential changes in body type and overall archetypes coming together.
Off-Ball Linebacker
A disappointing season from linebacker Terrel Bernard that saw him bothered by injuries and looking generally sluggish has put the yellow caution flag up on this positional group. The Bills’ best off-ball linebacker in 2025 was a 31-year old Shaq Thompson who seems foggy (at best) on a potential return. Linebacker Matt Milano is on the books for some cash in 2026, but his contract was voided prior to the 2025 season — making him a free agent.
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The questions on Bernard are real and fair. It’s a potential black-eye extension made in the 2025 offseason. This is still a position that needs juice and ability to fit the interior gaps of the defense in 2026 and beyond. You can’t rely on Bernard and Williams to be your chalked-in starters off the ball.
Safety
Entering his third year, safety Cole Bishop needs a running mate. Veteran safety Taylor Rapp remains under contract. but he suffered a knee injury that eventually sent him to season-ending Injured Reserve after abhorrent play to start the year.
Buffalo’s “break in case of disaster” answer was to sign safety Jordan Poyer off the street. While he performed admirably, Poyer felt to be on the brink of retirement prior to his return to Buffalo. Jordan Hancock, a rookie day-three pick out of Ohio State, still feels a bit positionless, which seems like a negative connotation more than positive.
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There’s no doubt that Hancock has some talent, but he needs a position to play — on the top of the defense or in the slot. He struggled when forced into the game on a regular basis including the playoff game against the Jaguars. This should be a major priority for the Bills — by draft or otherwise.
Why the 2026 NFL Draft class should excite Bills fans
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler compiled a recent Top 100 list of NFL Draft prospects ($$$) for this year’s class prior to the NFL Scouting Combine. Brugler is one of the most respected experts on the draft in the business. His pool that he ranks favors the Bills’ needs listed above.
Wide Receiver — There won’t be a shortage of options at receiver in this year’s class. Brugler has 17 prospects at the position. There’s a pick-what-you-like aspect with multiple size and athletic profiles depending on what you’re looking for. From Washington’s Denzel Boston at 6’4”, to 5’9” Brenen Thompson of Mississippi State, there’s truly something for everyone in this class. The Bills are certainly in the market.
Interior Offensive Line — The options at this spot are particularly sweet late into Day 2 with Brugler’s evaluation, with seven players either at center or guard at 75 or later overall in the rankings. This could play well into the Bills’ hand in that they don’t absolutely need to sink a premium pick into this spot.
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Defensive End/Edge Rusher — There’s some serious edge-rusher depth in this class. The classified edge position is filled with plenty of bodies and different flavors of types — not every player will be a Bills fit, but Brugler has 15 players in his top 100. They’re not all juiced to the top of the board either. It’s spread fairly evenly amongst the ranking. Auburn edge Keyron Crawford is a different body that the Bills wouldn’t be quite as interested in within the top 100 of years past. But he’s an explosive presence rushing the passer and has some comfort dropping into coverage.
Off-Ball Linebacker — This is one of the best off-ball linebacker classes in recent memory by all accounts — not just Brugler. A grouping of 10 make the top 100. Once again, with a bevy of players ranked, there will be lots of different types of guys depending on what you’re looking for. Georgia’s CJ Allen is a true MIKE with bookmarked leadership ability. On the contrary, Pitt’s Kyle Louis is 6’1” and 220 pounds with explosive closing ability. Is he a big nickel or a linebacker? That’s part of the beauty of the class. The Bills could certainly be sniffing around some of the better prospects.
Safety — This is a position that, similar to linebacker, has been a challenge to find a plethora of high-level options worth selecting in the first few rounds. Generally, it’s been a narrow scope of options early on. Brugler has seven prospects ranked in the top 76 at the safety position. It’s a more impressive group than usual.
Interior Offensive Line — Of all of the positions the Bills need, the interior offensive line spot is the lightest in the pants. However, it sets up well for where they pick. Everywhere else is loaded in all three rounds to allow the Bills to pass on leaping up the board to select from a thin pool of talent.
