The Buffalo Bills have had some quality talent on their team since general manager Brandon Beane's first draft class in 2018. The big player in that draft class has been a franchise quarterback in Josh Allen. Beane has also drafted some players who made an impact on their first contract, but signed their second contract with another team to clear salary cap space.
Reflecting on some mid-late round steals who came and gone, and even one of Beane's first big free agent signings in 2019, who caught passes from Allen in helping the Bills return to the playoffs. While looking back, saying the team doesn't need any of these players today, some could actually still play for the team now that Joe Brady has been promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach.
Let's take a look at the four ex-Bills we wish were still on the team for 2026.
Four ex-Bills who would have been great to have in Buffalo for 2026
1.) LB Tremaine Edmunds- New York Giants
Edmunds' career in Buffalo was overshadowed by the fact that he was the team's second first-round pick behind Allen. Still, Edmunds was part of the historic 2018 team draft class that began the Bills' run in the AFC East, highlighted by five straight division titles.
What was great about Edmunds was that he was the prototypical big, thumping NFL linebacker who could stop the run at the second level of the line of scrimmage. At 6-foot-4, 251 pounds, Edmunds was one of the last pro bowlers not named Allen or James Cook to be drafted.
Unfortunately, due to cap issues and Terrel Bernard waiting in the wings, the Bills let Edmunds walk to the Chicago Bears. While it definitely made sense at the time, he was basically the team's only big run-stopping linebacker, and they haven't had one since.
That's why the Bills should have tried to bring Edmunds back on a one-year deal when the Bears released him after 2025, but because the Giants are also running a base 3-4 defense, Giants GM Joe Schoen, who helped draft Edmunds to the Bills in 2018, managed to get him to sign with the Giants.
2.) WR Isaiah Hodgins- New York Giants
When the Bills selected Isaiah Hodgins in the 2020 NFL Draft, they didn't just draft another sixth-round project-type receiver. They drafted a 6-foot-4, 210-pound, physically gifted and polished route runner who had a shot to make the 53-man roster.
In 2022, Hodgins played in only two games in Buffalo before being to reunite with Schoen and Brian Daboll, who were in their first year as GM and head coach. The talented receiver played in 10 games with Big Blue, finishing with 351 yards and being a key factor in the Giants' upset win over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card round, showcasing his growth and potential to NFL fans.
Since then, he's only played a full 17-game season once, which was in 2023, and then only played seven in 2025, but at least put up 115 yards before getting hurt.
3.) WR John Brown
Although he hasn't played since 2022, John Brown was a memorable, exciting player to watch. He could make magic and make wild plays with the ball in his hands. He showcased his speed by being a vertical, downfield receiver. In 2019, he put up 1,060 yards receiving in his second 1,000+ yard receiving season in his career.
Yes, having him come back with the Bills at 36 seems silly, but Terrell Owens signed with the Bills at 35. Despite only playing a year, T.O. was productive, but the Bills were done with him after a year.
4.) FB Reggie Gilliam- New England Patriots
Reggie Gilliam's journey to the NFL was an interesting one that required time, deliberation, and patience before he finally enjoyed a four-year career with the Bills. It ultimately led him straight to the New England Patriots, earning him a 3-year, $12 million deal.
The unique fullback played college ball for the Toledo Rockets and then, in 2022, went undrafted by the Buffalo Bills. He was instrumental in assisting Allen when the Bills would run their own version of the "Tush Push" play.
This past season, the Bills had to let Gilliam walk due to cap issues and their unwillingness to offer a second contract to a fullback. Now, Gilliam is with the Patriots; the Bills now have a competition at fullback between undrafted free agent Jackson Acker and former Philadelphia Eagles fullback Ben Van Summeren.
They also have a wildcard option in tight end Jackson Hawes, who played goal-line fullback in college with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
While all three of these options are serviceable and cost-efficient, it will be very hard for any of them to replicate what Gilliam did in four years in Orchard Park.
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