The NFL Draft is less than two weeks and fans couldn’t be more excited. It feels like forever since the Super Bowl ended but the draft is a huge event that helps the season come faster. Before the draft, free agency took place and the Buffalo Bills added more defense than they did offense.
Their biggest move, however, was via trade when they acquired wide receiver D.J. Moore from the Chicago Bears. Adding Moore gives the Bills a proven No. 1 receiver, but more work needs to be done on that end. At the same time, the defense still has plenty of room for improvement.
With a new defensive scheme coming under Jim Leonhard, the Bills must continue to add necessary help. That’s exactly what they do in this new 7-round mock draft with the NFL Draft rapidly approaching. This mock draft does not include any trade scenarios.
DC Jim Leonhard would benefit greatly from Bills 7-round mock draft
Round 1, #26: Jacob Rodriguez - LB, Texas Tech
Some people may say this is a reach, but Jacob Rodriguez has one of the highest ceilings in terms of potential out of every prospect in this draft class. Fans who think that letting Matt Milano walk in free agency is a bad idea, the Bills can easily bring in their next Milano linebacker with Rodriguez.
For the last two seasons at Texas Tech, Rodriguez has had 100+ total tackles in each season that also includes massive production in pass coverage, and creating turnover plays. If the Bills are really considering adding to the linebacker room in the first round, Rodriguez is a very intriguing prospect and he would have the opportunity to start right away.
Round 3, #91: Dani Dennis-Sutton - EDGE, Penn State
Back-to-back defensive picks for the Bills here, first getting Rodriguez and then drafting Penn State edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton. Believe it or not, Dennis-Sutton has a somewhat similar playstyle as Greg Rousseau. He is solid against the run, but his consistent pass rush needs work.
Dennis-Sutton had 8.5 sacks in two consecutive seasons from 2024-2025, and he also has an act for creating fumbles as well (7 forced fumbles the last 3 seasons). With Buffalo being terrible at stopping the run last season, they can add another player to help improve the unit.
Round 4, #126: Malachi Fields - WR, Notre Dame
In a previous mock draft, we had the Bills taking Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields in this spot and it’s the same thing now. With the Bills going with defense in their first two picks, they go with offense at the position that they need help at the most.
Wide receiver has been an issue for the Bills the last two seasons. They finally got a WR1 with D.J. Moore, but they need to add depth to compete with the current receivers on the team. At 6-foot-4, Fields is a big receiver who could compete with guys like Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer, who are also big receivers.
Round 5, #165 (via Chicago): Beau Stephens - OL, Iowa
A versatile offensive guard who can play left and right, Beau Stephens would be solid depth for the Bills’ offensive line and he may even have the chance to compete for a starting job after 2026. Buffalo re-signed Alec Anderson, who has the best chance at replacing David Edwards at left guard. However, Stephens could be a quality backup for now with the chance to get his shot after next season.
Round 5, #168: Thaddeus Dixon - CB, North Carolina
The Bills should have their starting three at corner with Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, and Dee Alford. After that though, they have thin depth so them drafting a corner at some point this draft needs to happen.
Thaddeus Dixon is a lengthy corner at 6-foot-1 would be a nice addition depth wise, and they could utilize him on special teams as well.
Round 6, #182 (via Las Vegas): Red Murdock - LB, Buffalo
Even though the Bills drafted Rodriguez in the first round in this mock draft, there’s nothing that says that they can’t double down and go with another one, especially one who is from the University at Buffalo.
Red Murdock has been an absolute baller for the Bulls the last two seasons. He’s not just always making tackles, he’s also getting sacks and forcing fumbles. With the Bills having the first pick in the 6th round, they cannot pass up on Murdock if he is still available.
Round 7, #220: Tyreak Sapp - EDGE, Florida
The Bills wrap up this mock draft with another edge rusher in Florida’s Tyreak Sapp, who is coming off a bit of a down year but had a solid 2024 season. In that season, Sapp had a career high 46 total tackles to go with 7 sacks and forcing 2 fumbles. Buffalo has to continue to add to the EDGE room and that’s what they do with getting Sapp.