The Buffalo Bills have likely done enough to make themselves early favorites for the AFC East crown. That said, the work is hardly done as the NFL Draft approaches in just a few short weeks. General manager Brandon Beane will need to be productive and find more than a few contributors in the process.
The Bills will want to address a few concerns in the draft while adding depth that could eventually translate into starters down the road. There are a handful of draft hopefuls that make a lot of sense given the new direction of the defense.
Buffalo Bills look to load Jim Leonhard’s new defense with promising talent in 2026 NFL Draft
That new direction will come at the behest of new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Formerly an assistant with the Denver Broncos, Leonhard will look to bring in a more modern, aggressive system that focuses on attacking fronts, disguised coverages, and versatility from his personnel.
The idea is not to find “positions” but rather to play to the strengths of his players. The goal is to move them around to create ideal matchups, which should help create high-impact plays. To do that, he needs disciplined players who can react quickly and diagnose plays in a rapid-fire fashion. Three players have all the makings of an excellent fit in a Jim Leonhard defense.
Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Beane will almost certainly look to the second and third days of the draft to find help at linebacker. There are a lot of questions at the inside linebacker spots, and Matt Milano may be nearing the end of his time as an effective option.
One player who could be available in the early second round is Hill. He has a good combination of size (6-foot-2, 238 pounds) and athleticism, which would make him an ideal fit. If the Bills end up trading back from No. 26 overall, Hill could be an excellent fit as an early second-round selection.
Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
If the Bills are seeking speed and explosiveness, Howell may very well be the perfect fit. Chubb may be a more proven option, but there are questions in the wake of an injury. Coming from a school like Texas A&M with a proven track record when it comes to pass rushers, Howell looks to continue that line.
His arm length keeps coming up, but the same was said of Broncos linebacker Nick Bonitto. Howell has the kind of elite speed and bend around the corner that definitely make him worth a shot in the first round.
R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma
Thomas is one of the most intriguing names on the list. It is possible he could slide into the second round, making him an even greater value. But if there is a run on edge players in the first round, the Bills may have no choice but to snap him up at 26.
Thomas has the kind of speed and explosiveness the Bills covet at the position. He might lack size and arm length, but he gets after the quarterback in a hurry. Leonhard could line him up all over the place, utilizing matchups to get him free and charging after opposing quarterbacks.
The Bills Need to Find Playmakers
The Bills have a number of directions to go, but it is clear that they need two things: run support and playmakers. They need guys who can get that one big stop, knock down that pass, or make a game-saving tackle when the team needs it. Those have been missing in the last few playoff runs.
Beane will have a plethora of options to choose from, and could even trade back a few spots, accrue more draft capital, and still get a difference-maker. It is a critical draft for this regime, one that could shape the team in the near future.