With the initial wave of the NFL free agency window now passed, front offices are using the final weeks of the draft process to cross their t's and dot their i's on the incoming prospect pool. As "30" visits commence and teams get a feel for who they want to join their teams, the Bills find themselves in a unique position relative to recent years for the club.
Buffalo holds seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and only one in the top 90 after trading away pick No. 60 to acquire WR D.J. Moore from the Chicago Bears.
Along with Moore, some of the other notable new names who put pen to paper with the Bills are OLB Bradley Chubb, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, CB Dee Alford, and S Geno Stone. General manager Brandon Beane has a history of covering as many glaring holes on the roster as he can before entering drafts, and this year has proven to be no different.
With the addition of a No. 1 WR to the offense and numerous playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, the draft plan for the Buffalo Bills appears to be taking shape. Knowing now what the front office decided to address in free agency makes it clearer as to where the Bills could be looking to add when the draft opens in Pittsburgh next month.
(This mock draft simulation was done using NFL Mock Draft Database with no trades.)
No. 26 - ILB C.J. Allen, Georgia
Analysis from Lance Zierlein of NFL Network: "Green dot” linebacker and team captain more capable of rowing the boat than making big splashes. Allen plays with toughness and control, sorting through run fits with patience and leverage in pursuit. He has average trigger quickness and pursuit speed, which forces him to work harder to get to junction points when facing climbing blockers. He has adequate size and strength with good hand strikes to play off blocks. He doesn’t blow up blocks or disrupt on the other side of the line all that often, though. He’s an effective blitzer with average man-cover talent and is capable on all three downs. Allen is a dependable starting Mike ‘backer who raises the floor of a defense.
As a rookie defensive coordinator in the NFL, it will be important for Jim Leonhard to have a true middle linebacker calling the plays for his defense and the Georgia product is the man for the job. Coming from a program that churns out talent with high defensive pedigree every year, Allen would slot in immediately as the backer next to Terrel Bernard. An NFC scout was quoted saying “Gets them lined up, is tough and is a great leader.”
No. 91 - OLB Jaishawn Barham - Michigan
Lance Zierlein analysis: "Barham logged most of his snaps at off-ball linebacker, but his 2025 tape showed explosiveness that will attract teams seeking a developmental rush ‘backer in an odd front. He’s raw as a rusher, relying heavily on athleticism, but the missing elements are teachable. Whether outside or inside, he’s a professional block-beater with the tools to stack or slip blocks, though his edge-setting needs work. His bend and reactive agility create unlikely tackle chances that few can find. His intensity and motor are top-tier but he needs to play with better discipline to avoid negative snaps. With explosive traits and inside-outside versatility, he projects as an impactful future starter once his technique catches up."
With the new defensive scheme and loss of depth players such as A.J. Epenesa, it will be important for the Bills to keep adding at a position group that always needs fresh legs on the field. Barham will enter the league as a project, but an exciting player who can be used in a similar role as Michael Hoecht.
No. 126 - WR Kevin Coleman Jr. - Missouri
Lance Zierlein analysis: "Slot-only wideout who could use a defined role and continuity after playing for four different schools in four years. Coleman has the speed to create opportunities on slot fades and skinny posts downfield. His route running has room for improvement, but it’s average for a draftable prospect. While he lacks ideal size, he has adequate hands and toughness in traffic. His ability to handle utility plays and return punts will add a dimension to his game, provided he becomes a more well-rounded target from the slot."
Even with the acquisition of DJ Moore, the Bills could look to add depth to the position group. Coleman Jr. turned some heads with an impressive Senior Bowl and will look to continue that upward trajectory as he enters the league.
No. 165 - IDL Tim Keenan III - Alabama
NFL Network: "Keenan is a girthy nose tackle with average talent and upside. He has the frame/play strength to take on blocks and fight for ground with reasonable success. However, a lack of length limits his ability to command the point of attack with a quick punch-and-shed. He’s more block-beater than block-eater and won’t offer much as a rusher. Keenan has Day 3 value as a rotational player."
The Bills opt to add another big body next to standout defensive tackle Deone Walker in hopes of strengthening the run defense.
No. 168 - IOL Beau Stephens - Iowa
NFL Network: "Stephens plays with a strong grasp for angles, tempo and timing for his block fits. He’s able to sustain and finish at a good rate despite having average play strength. However, his comfort level and consistency drop somewhat when working beyond inside/outside zone. He’s well-postured and plays with balance in pass pro. His lack of length will become more noticeable once he hits the pros, though. Short arms, average athleticism and scheme-friendly surroundings could temper his draft slotting, but Stephens has a chance to eventually become a starter if he finds the right team fit. "
Being able to grab Stephens in the fifth round provides to be good value for the Bills and offers OL Alec Anderson some camp competition for the open starting LG position left behind by David Edwards.
No. 182 - CB Thaddeus Dixon - North Carolina
NFL Network: "Dixon is a perimeter corner with the size and athleticism to work in multiple coverages. From press, he’s fairly sticky in the early stages and does a good job of anticipating breaks when playing off-man. However, he lacks top-end speed to stay connected to vertical threats as the route stretches out. Dixon needs to protect his leverage more effectively and allow fewer opportunities for explosive plays over the top. He does use his size and efficient burst for on-ball chances, though. He won’t stand out in any one area but is good enough in most to compete for a spot as a backup."
Despite Tre'Davious White providing quality snaps for the Bills in 2025-2026, the long-time Bill remains a free agent at the time of this mock draft. With White's projected departure, there is a current void at the CB3 position. While newly signed Dee Alford does provide boundary flexibility, most of his snaps come from the nickel position.
No. 220 - P Brett Thorson - Georgia
NFL Network: "Australian punter with adequate drive power and above-average hang time. Thorson gets good leg extension and has the ability to generate consistent lift, allowing the cover team to swarm when punts are returnable. He displayed vast improvement in touch with his coffin-corner kicks in 2025 and checks the boxes to be a Day 3 pick."
The Bills made an effort to re-sign P Mitch Wishnowsky, but the tenured special teamer is 34 years old, and it would make sense that the Bills look to get younger at the position. With Thorson, the Bills would bring in first round pick C.J. Allen's teammate and another Australian punter, joining his fellow countryman.