The Buffalo Bills enter this year's draft with a key need in the first round. Last season, the team was at the bottom of the league in run defense. Still, with a more aggressive defensive scheme and a new defensive coordinator, they will be able to find a big nose tackle who specializes in bringing ball-carriers down in the backfield.
This planned scheme should give the Bills' Mafia confidence and optimism about the team's draft plan ideas. With the 26th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, there should be some big prospects out there who would like to bring their skills and energy to help the Bills out with stopping the run.
Bills should target one of these trench anchors to fix run defense issues
1. Dominique Orange - Iowa State
At 6-foot-4, 325 pounds, Dominique Orange "Big Citrus" made his living at Iowa State, stopping fast running backs in the dominant Big 10 Conference. He lined up as the nose tackle in Iowa State's 3-3-5 defensive scheme and just ate up RPO run plays, and was a force in tackling on-screen plays.
With the Bills, he would have an opportunity to play the nose in Jim Leonhard's 3-4 scheme, while also playing the 1 tech and the 5 tech defensive end spots.
He already knows the system, so all he would have to do is work with Leonard when going against bigger, more powerful running backs at the run game, which is making a comeback in the modern-day 17-game NFL season.
2. T.J. Parker - Clemson
Every year, head coach Dabo Swinney always seems to recruit and develop Round 1 edge rushers who are flexible enough to shine in both the 4-3 and the 3-4. That would be the case with T.J. Parker, as he is a strong, powerful pass rusher with the aggression to stop the run.
His size is great for either scheme at 6-foot-3, 265 pounds. He is athletic enough to bring ballcarriers down, which has been the type of edge rushers/outside linebackers Brandon Beane has typically preferred to draft.
In the Bills' 3-4 scheme, Parker would have to move over to outside linebacker alongside Greg Rousseau. It would still allow him to use his powerful spin moves to rush the passer or stop the run against mobile quarterbacks and running backs.
3. Christian Miller - Georgia
With the Georgia Bulldogs always preferring the 3-3-5 scheme, head coach Kirby Smart does a great job of developing his nose tackles to be NFL-ready.
Christian Miller is no exception, as he is a strong, mobile nose tackle who can take on double teams and ease his way to the ball carrier for big losses. It shows his readiness and a favorable future with the team.
With the Bills, Miller could play nose or defensive end next to Deone Walker, Ed Oliver, and T.J. Sanders. The massive athlete is a 6-foot-4, 321-pound defensive lineman with rare speed and power. Look for Miller to bring his talents to Buffalo, if drafted, and start on the defense right away.
4. Kayden McDonald - Ohio State
The Bills' dream scenario here would work out perfectly if they select Kayden McDonald at No. 26. The elite DL had a good 2025 season, tallying 65 tackles (9 for loss) and 3 sacks. He was also named Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and Unanimous All-American.
McDonald stands out with an inspiring 6-foot-3, 326-pound frame and is already a man's man. His experience playing nose tackle under Matt Patricia's NFL-coached scheme makes him the most NFL-ready player at the position. It shows his potential to succeed in the league.
Brady and Beane love these types of players, especially those whose conference rival is none other than the Penn State Nittany Lions, where Brady was a graduate assistant.
The Bills have four solid choices in their DL selections, so if they miss out on any of these top-notch players, they can only blame themselves.