Another year of the NFL Draft has come and gone. Now we enter a really long stretch of waiting for training camp and then eventually the season. The biggest phase of free agency is over and now the draft is as well. For the last couple of months, the Buffalo Bills have done a lot of work to improve their championship roster to finally get past the Kansas City Chiefs.
This part of the offseason can be an exciting time for fans as they learn about new additions (and also subtractions) from their favorite teams. On the other side of it, it’s also a concerning time for players (and sometimes coaches) as they could be in trouble depending on the moves that the front office makes.
With the draft being over, we take a look at the members of the Bills who should be happy with how things turned out, and the members who should be worried.
4 winners (and 2 losers) from Bills' 2025 draft class
Winner: S Cole Bishop
While the Bills did bring back Damar Hamin and signed Darrick Forrest in free agency, they opted to not draft a safety and that should make Cole Bishop one happy guy. Both Hamlin and Forrest are on one-year deals and Bishop is on a rookie contract, going into his second year of it.
Bishop has some injury concerns, but he still showed signs of potential to be a solid player for the future. He doesn’t have to worry about a rookie safety coming in and potentially screwing up his career with the Bills.
Winner: RB James Cook
There might be a split room on the feelings about James Cook, considering the contract drama that he and his brother have created this offseason. Set to go into the final year of his rookie deal, it honestly wouldn’t have been a surprise to see Cook get traded during the draft. Instead, he remains a Bill and Brandon Beane opted to not draft a potential replacement.
Even though Ray Davis coule easily become Buffalo’s starting back after 2025, not drafting a back makes Cook’s security more solid with the Bills. In addition, Beane also said that he has no concern about Cook being ready for this season, per Maddy Glab.
Winner: Linebacker room
One, no linebackers were drafted to Buffalo. Two, the Bills decided to go heavy on defense with getting multiple defensive linemen to help take on double teams. This will allow Terrel Bernard, Matt Milano, and Dorian Williams to have more freedom and fly into the gaps to make a play.
Winner: DC Bobby Babich
There probably isn’t a happier person at One Bills Drive than defensive coordinator Bobby Babich. Out of nine picks, the Bills drafted six defensive players which includes three on the defensive line. T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker can both play the 1 and 3-technique, while Landon Jackson is a solid rotational edge rusher who can eventually develop into a starter if Joey Bosa is only with the Bills for one year.
In addition, the Bills also drafted three defensive backs. Maxwell Hairston can be a Day 1 starter, while Jordan Hancock and Dorian Strong can rotate in and be quality backups. Babich has a bunch of new players to work with and he has the opportunity to develop them into quality players for years to come.
Loser: DT DeWayne Carter
While the defensive line got a huge upgrade, that should put a little bit of concern on defensive tackle DeWayne Carter. The Bills drafted Carter last season and he not only missed time with a wrist injury, but he was also a healthy scratch late in the season.
While there is still hope that he can develop as a run-stopper, the drafting of T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker should make him concerned about the confidence that the Bills have in him.
Loser: OC Joe Brady
The 2025 season could very well be Joe Brady’s last season in Buffalo before he becomes a potential head coach. He interviewed for multiple teams the last two seasons, including the New Orleans Saints who didn’t get Kellen Moore until after the Super Bowl. Brady has implemented an “everybody eats” offense and it performed well last season.
While Brady has a lot of familiar pieces to work with, the Bills only got a blocking tight end in Jackson Hawes in the 5th round, and then a receiver in Kaden Prather in the 7th round. So, no immediate impactful players for Brady from this draft class.