The Buffalo Bills will have some decisions to make when the NFL Draft rolls around. General manager Brandon Beane made a few veteran free agent signings in order to not only bolster his roster but to give himself greater flexibility with his draft assets.
The Bills still have clear needs at safety and receiver, but there is an even more glaring need that requires addressing. Holding the 26th overall pick in the first round, the Bills have two options before them that would be great for the team.
1.) Trade back from 26th pick
Perhaps the best option for the Bills would be to trade back. After the D.J. Moore trade, the Bills have just three picks in the top 126 selections. Given the depth available at positions they would be looking at, the Bills can reasonably get an impactful player anywhere from 26th overall to 40th overall.
Trading back into the late 30s with a team like the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, or New York Giants would make a lot of sense. It would realistically allow them to accrue an additional fourth-round pick, somewhere in the 101-105 range.
That might not seem like much, but it could mean another piece of quality depth or even a potential starter. Beane has done well outside of the first round, so those later picks would have more value in his hands as well.
2.) Taking an edge rusher
If the Bills can’t find a trade partner or aren’t happy with the value they get back, they could stay put and address their biggest need: edge rusher. The Bradley Chubb signing has already received mixed reviews, and the Bills could stand to add a bit more explosiveness to the equation.
Someone like Akheem Mesidor from Miami (Fl.) or R Mason Thomas of Oklahoma would be excellent fits. Mesidor is a bit older than most teams like but has an explosive first step and good bend. Thomas is undersized but may be one of the most explosive edge rushers in the draft, some feeling that he is a top 20 talent.
UCF’s Malachi Lawrence is a solid speed rusher and has ample size to hold up at the NFL level. Auburn’s Kedrick Faulk would be great but likely won’t be there when the Bills pick in the first round.
Whatever the case may be, the glaring weakness for the Bills in the last five years has been getting to the quarterback. The Bills have taken a more conservative route so far and adding someone with true explosiveness would be a win for Beane and the defense.
Brandon Beane has choices
Beane’s moves so far have helped solidify the Bills as a top AFC contender. Hitting on three or four of these draft picks is critical for not only the 2026 season, but the future of this roster. Adding depth at receiver, guard, defensive tackle, and safety would be ideal as well.
What Beane does with the 26th overall pick could set the tone for the remainder of the offseason. Getting an exciting prospect with a penchant for getting to the quarterback could change the whole feel of this defense going forward.