It’s no secret that the Buffalo Bills will be watching the wide receivers as closely as any team at the NFL Combine this week. While Buffalo’s biggest need at the position is a true No. 1 target, even if the team can’t find such an option in the draft, they should still look to find someone from a deep class to add to the roster.
The Combine never fails in offering up fool’s gold when it comes to the wide receiver position, though. A blazing 40-yard-dash or a circus catch against air has seen many a receiver’s draft stock skyrocket only to translate into nothing on an NFL field.
Still, anytime a receiver can put his name on the map with his athleticism, it’s tantalizing for a team lacking explosive playmakers, as the Bills do.Â
Miss. State WR Brenen Thompson could steal spotlight, and Bills' attention, at 2026 NFL Combine
Of course, who walks away with the fastest 40-yard dash in Indianapolis is sure to generate significant buzz. Bleacher Report believes that the player with the fastest 40 will be Mississippi State wideout Brenen Thompson.
Thompson ran a 10.22 100m in high school, and NFL Draft Buzz projects a 4.34 40-yard dash time for the 5-foot-9, 170-pound wideout. Because of his size concerns, Thompson’s early projections peg him as a Late-Day 2 prospect. If he manages to score the fastest 40-time, his stock should see a significant boost.
Of course, Buffalo won’t be entertaining him with the No. 26 pick, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility at No. 60 if his stock really takes off, or at No. 91 if Thompson’s rise on the draft board is a bit more realistic.
Most fans would scoff at drafting a wide receiver for impressive speed alone. The NFL has seen a great number of fast receivers fizzle out because they couldn’t do much more beyond running in a straight line faster than anyone else. Luckily, Thompson offers a bit more than that.
Naturally, Thompson’s biggest strength is taking the top off the defense, but he also handles press coverage adequately, and his great body control lends itself to his route-running ability. There’s certainly room for improvement in both categories, but his skillset is already in a comfortable space.
Buffalo needs someone who can stretch the field after relying on 32-year-old Brandin Cooks to fill the role late in 2025. While Thompson might not be a No. 1 option in the future, his playmaking potential should still intrigue the Bills' scouting staff. Even just utilizing his speed to clear out space in the secondary for other receivers has value, and with Josh Allen’s cannon of a right arm, he’s sure to come down with some explosive receptions himself, too.
By the end of the NFL Combine, most fans who hadn’t yet been introduced to Thompson may very well see him as a name to know in the draft class. That said, regardless of his 40-time, Thompson offers Buffalo something they need in their offense. The value will have to properly line up for them to pull the trigger on Day 2 and make him a Bill, though.