Now that the 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone, the focus is on the season ahead – even if it is still four months away. Opinions about the quality of Brandon Beane’s 2026 draft class are divisive, to say the least.
While fans were no doubt clamoring for a major impact player, the Bills did well for themselves with a few potential steals. As it stands, there are five rookies who look to have a strong shot at making the 53-man roster out of camp. Note: top pick T.J. Parker was not included because his making the roster feels like a foregone conclusion.
These Bills rookies have great chance at suiting up for Week 1 and beyond
Davison Igbinosun, CB (2nd Round)
Perhaps the most questioned of Beane’s picks, Davison Igbinosun is intriguing in a lot of ways. He has good size at 6-foot-2 and should, at the very least, provide competition for 2025 first-round pick Maxwell Hairston at the boundary corner spot opposite Christian Benford.
Igbinosun has all of the physical tools to be successful at the NFL level. He needs to refine his technique, however. He did show improvement in that regard, seeing his penalty rate fall by two-thirds from 2024 to 2025. His ability to force receivers and attack the short game will certainly be assets as well.
Jude Bowry, T/G (4th Round)
Offensive line depth was a concern coming into the draft and the Bills appeared to address that with Bowry and seventh-round pick Ar’Maj Reed-Adams. Given the uncertainty at left guard, it feels like the opportunity is there for Bowry to grab consequential snaps early.
He has great size and is an impressive athlete, capable of moving on pulls, screens, and climbing to the second level. His ability to hold up against power moves is an asset as well. A lot of his biggest issues would be more apparent at tackle but it is clear that he’s moving inside to guard. Bowry could wind up being one of the sleeper picks of the draft for the Bills.
Skyler Bell, WR (4th Round)
Speaking of potential sleeper picks, there’s Skyler Bell out of UConn. With average size and athleticism, he doesn’t jump off the charts until you watch him play. He was a yards-after-catch master at UConn. His ability to work out wide or in the slot will no doubt be an asset in Joe Brady’s offense as well.
The biggest question about Bell is his level of competition. Playing at UConn, he wasn’t going up against the best of the best every Saturday. Can he still produce at a high level against NFL-caliber players? That remains the million-dollar question.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB (4th Round)
Of all the Bills’ draft picks, Kaleb Elarms-Orr seems to have the best chance of making the biggest impact. He has good size and plays with not only speed but a sense of urgency. He has sideline-to-sideline capabilities, a good tackler against the run as well.
With the lack of depth at the middle linebacker spot, it feels like a starting job could be there for the taking. He has been rated highly by many others, he already feels like a more polished version of Dorian Williams. it would not be a surprise to see him playing meaningful snaps sooner rather than later.
Jalon Kilgore, S (5th Round)
The Bills addressed depth concerns at safety with a pair of veteran signings, but Kilgore is intriguing enough that new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard may feel forced to keep him around. Long-term, he has all of the physical traits needed to pair up with budding star Cole Bishop.
In terms of his 2026 impact, his ability to play nickel will be a major asset. Against run- and tight end-heavy offenses, Kilgore can be an asset. He has elite explosiveness and a little bit of seasoning could have him ready to ascend before long.
A Few potential starters for 2027 and beyond?
Though fans understandably are thinking “Super Bowl or bust” in 2026, it is hard not to feel encouraged when taking a long-term approach. Elarms-Orr looks like he could start this season with Bowry, Kilgore, and Parker possibly joining him by 2027.
Brandon Beane did well to replenish depth by adding talented, athletic pieces that will have a chance to grow without being thrown into the fire immediately. That’s the kind of flexibility that Leonhard will no doubt covet as a new coordinator.
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