The 2026 season for the Buffalo Bills kicks off a week from today down in Houston, where they will take on a Texans team that doesn’t just have one of the best defenses in the league, but has also had Buffalo’s number in recent memory. The Bills haven’t performed when they play in Houston, but they will look to change that narrative this season.
It's a new era for the Bills, but the same goal remains in place in terms of making a Super Bowl run. Buffalo has the best quarterback in the league to lead them, along with a strong rushing attack as well. However, the Bills are going to need more than just them.
The rest of the roster will have to step up in someway at crucial moments. There are 4 Bills players that are in a position to help elevate the Bills in some capacity, as they are due for breakout seasons for different reasons.
These 4 Bills have perfect situation going into 2026 with Bills
TE Dalton Kincaid
The most obvious breakout candidate for the Bills this year is tight end Dalton Kincaid, who should be entering this season without dealing with a knee injury he’s had since 2024. While injuries have been part of his career up to this point, he has shown so much ability to make fans excited for what he can do if he stays healthy.
Even with the addition of DJ Moore to the offense, that should actually help Kincaid take on true one-on-one matchups in the middle of the field. As long as he stays healthy, it would not be a surprise to see Kincaid become a Pro Bowler, or maybe even an All-Pro.
OL Alec Anderson
Anderson will step in as the replacement for David Edwards at left guard, who left in free agency for the New Orleans Saints. For the last couple of seasons, Anderson has been the extra blocker in jumbo packages and has also been an above-average backup where he has played across the entire line.
He is a very physical downhill blocker who is not afraid to be in the middle of the play to better the Bills. His presence keeps a little bit of continuity in the trenches.
OLB Michael Hoecht
Hoecht had extremely limited time to show Bills fans what he could do last season. After serving a six-game suspension to start out the season, Hoecht played in just two games before his season ended with an Achilles injury. However, his physical play caught the attention of fans, which has made him a fan-favorite.
Now with his rehab going very well to where it’s possible he could play this Sunday, Hoecht is part of a unit with Bradley Chubb, Greg Rousseau, T.J. Parker, and Mike Danna at outside linebacker where he could help wreck havoc against opposing offenses.
S Cole Bishop
When the Bills hired Jim Leonhard as their new defensive coordinator, one player that should have come to mind about a breakout season is Cole Bishop. During the stretch last season, Bishop stepped up big time and impressed fans with his improved play. Now, he is expected to help lead the secondary.
With Leonhard coaching him up (who was a safety himself in his playing career), this seems like the perfect pairing and Bishop could easily become one of the best safeties in the league this season.
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