The Buffalo Bills are watching a season that was supposed to hold their crowning moment slip away from them. After a hot start to the year, they've lost two of their last three games, causing fans to worry about their team's playoff future.
There's plenty of blame to go around for this unexpected slide, but the Bills' linebackers have emerged as a glaring weakness. With Matt Milano nearing the end of his career and little depth elsewhere at the position, Buffalo will need to add to its linebacker group next offseason.
Fear not, Bills fans. There are plenty of talented linebackers in the 2026 NFL Draft. Let's take a look at some options throughout all three days of the event.
2026 NFL Draft holds Bills' solution to linebacker need
Bills' fits on day one
Most teams shy away from selecting a linebacker in the first round of the draft, but the Bills' desperation may lead them to pull the trigger. If they do, Ohio State's Sonny Styles is the obvious fit. He's a 6'4", uber-athletic linebacker with a surprising ability to diagnose offensive plays quickly. This is the kind of player you build your defense around.
If Styles is already off the board, Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen could be worth consideration. He's a prototypical linebacker, excellent against the run and physical in all phases.
Bills' fits on day two
If Buffalo chooses to wait until the second day of the draft to add to its linebacker room, Texas product Anthony Hill Jr. might be the best option. He's slid down draft boards a bit since the start of the year, but he still has the tools to be a productive linebacker in the NFL.
In round three, Cincinnati's Jake Golday deserves a shout. He's a fundamentally sound backer with the frame to become an elite defender.
Bills' fits on day three
Later in the draft, LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. is a name to watch. His game-breaking athleticism once put him in first-round conversations. His lack of physicality has caused his stock to drop, but Sean McDermott could surely get some use out of him.
Other prospects to monitor include Indiana's Aiden Fisher, Notre Dame's Drayk Bowen, and Pittsburgh's Rasheem Biles.
Wherever they decide to do so, the Bills need to add talent to their linebacker room next offseason. If not, this crisis will only become more evident as time goes on.