The Buffalo Bills haven’t had the busiest offseason imaginable, but have managed to address some key areas of need. Easily their biggest splash came in the form of receiver D.J. Moore, acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bears.
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the Bills should have a focus more on the defensive side of the ball. New coordinator Jim Leonhard will be looking for versatile pieces, and there are four names that make a lot of sense for what the Bills appear to be doing.
4 defensive prospects in 2026 NFL Draft who fit the Buffalo Bills' plans
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Texas A&M has a good history of producing elite edge rushers (see: Garrett, Myles and Miller, Von). Howell looks like just another gem in a long line of quality pass rushers. And, boy, do the Bills need a definitive option at edge.
Howell took a major leap forward in 2025, leading the SEC with 11.5 sacks. He gets off the ball better than almost everyone at his position and has the kind of flexibility and bend the Bills desperately need. There are knocks about his arm length, but some guys just know how to play football, and Howell is that kind of player.
Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
If the Bills trade back to acquire extra draft capital, they could potentially find a gem at linebacker in the middle rounds. The position is relatively thin and unknown for the Bills at the moment, so getting a young, athletic player in the draft will be a necessity.
Lawson, a three-year starter for the Crimson Tide, has the tools to be a player at the next level. He doesn’t quite have the coverage skills yet, but he has great strength and physicality to his game. He also has good blitzing instincts, making him another tool as Leonhard tries to find creative ways to get to the quarterback.
Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
Versatility seems to be a theme with the moves the Bills have made on defense. Players have the potential to play multiple positions, particularly in the secondary. For that reason – among many others – Kilgore makes all the sense in the world for the Bills.
He has the smarts needed to play deep safety, but his physicality and high motor make him an asset in the box. Kilgore is a reliable tackler, has solid ball skills, and can even line up at nickel. That kind of jack-of-all-trades would do well in Leonhard’s defense.
Dani Denis-Sutton, DE, Penn State
If the Bills don’t wind up using their first-round pick on a pass rusher, they could find a potentially tremendous value in the middle rounds in the form of Denis-Sutton. The Penn State defensive end has tremendous size (6-foot-6, 256 pounds) and explosiveness to work with.
While he doesn’t have elite production (8.5 sacks) he did lead the Big Ten in forced fumbles. His heavy hands, tremendous power, and shocking agility make him a candidate to lineup as an edge rusher or put his hand in the ground at end. That versatility would be invaluable to Leonhard and the defense.
Solutions are Available
This draft is important for general manager Brandon Beane. He needs to find more than a few pieces that could either slide into the lineup this season or be poised to take a starting job in 2027. There are more than a few options available to him in April’s draft.
After edge rusher, Beane has the flexibility to address the long-term health at linebacker and safety, above all else. If he can find what he feels like is a diamond in the rough in the nature of Christian Benford later, that’s icing on the cake for what should be an improved Bills defense.