We all know the names of the players from the bigger colleges who could help the Buffalo Bills. But sometimes it's the best talent from the smaller colleges who are overlooked. By the time they're in the NFL, everybody ends up knowing who they are when they are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
It's worth the time to take a look at the pool of talent from these smaller colleges to find that one diamond in the rough who can help change a franchise.
Five underrated smaller college prospects for 2026
1. OT Caden Barnett (Wyoming)
One of the Bills' biggest needs is finding more depth on the offensive line. While they already have Dion Dawkins starting at left tackle, he will be turning 32 years old and isn't getting any younger. Plus, the team didn't offer him a new contract this past offseason.
Barnett is a big man at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds. He is known for his strong run-blocking skills and shines at double-teaming defenders. In finishing his 2025 season, the versatile athlete was the Mountain West's highest-graded guard.
Since superstar quarterback Josh Allen is an alumnus of Wyoming, why not have a player from his school protect his blindside and potentially become their left tackle of the future by learning under Dawkins?
2. QB Cole Payton (North Dakota State)
Payton is probably one of the most unique QB prospects with a cool story. The 6-foot-2, 233-pound lefty has a very strong arm and is mobile with his legs. One of his best traits is that he's perfect for any NFL team that needs another arm that can handle throwing in the cold, which the Bills are.
The promising QB had an outstanding 2025 season, carrying his team to a 12-1 record. He tallied 2,719 passing yards, 16 passing TDs, while scoring 13 rushing TDs on 777 rushing yards.
Payton is a very raw prospect, but already has the maturity, size, and athleticism to be another big, strong-armed thrower in the winter months of the NFL.
3. WR Bryce Lance (North Dakota State)
If that name sounds familiar, it's because Bryce Lance is a former North Dakota State QB and NFL QB Trey Lance's little brother. While Trey had a fantastic college career and an underwhelming NFL career, little bro Bryce is looking to carve his own successful NFL career as a receiver.
Lance was one of Payton's favorite targets to throw to as he posted his second consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season, catching the ball and then running with it in the freezing winters of North Dakota. He ended his college career with 25 touchdown receptions (3rd in the league) and 2,157 receiving yards (8th), leaving a mark in NDSU's record books.
If the Bills were to grab him, he would not have a hard time adjusting to the new Bills stadium, where the intimate crowd noise would feel like he never left North Dakota State.
4. S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo)
Out of all the lesser-known small college players, McNeil-Warren was the most recognized name in college football. He is very tall and stands tall out on the football field for sure. He made a whopping 77 tackles, 2 interceptions, and three forced fumbles over three years.
He is one of the more pro-ready safeties, as he would be a great scheme fit and wreak havoc on ball carriers in Jim Leonhard's 3-4 defensive system.
Look for McNeil-Warren to be a ball hawk in the NFL and also create some turnovers in the process.
5. E Michael Heldman (Central Michigan)
To say Heldman is a sack machine would be an insult to the Terminator. At Central Michigan, he racked up 10.5 sacks, including a few against Big 10 opponent Penn State and 2026 QB prospect Drew Allar.
Heldman is a special prospect because he has shown he can be an elite pass rusher, even against Power Four competition, not just in MAC conference play.
Only time will tell which, if any, of these lesser-known small-college players will be able to help out the Bills or any other team in the NFL.