Buffalo Bills roster outlook for 2026: Evaluating the core after a Wild Card win

The Buffalo Bills did what good teams are supposed to do on Wild Card Weekend. They handled their business.

A win over the Jaguars punched their ticket to the divisional round, and while it's familiar territory for a franchise that has lived in January for years now, as the Bills prepare for another playoff test, the bigger picture is never far from view.

Buffalo is still chasing something it has never had, and 2026 looms as another pivotal checkpoint in that pursuit.

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As long as Josh Allen is under center, the Bills will always believe they belong. The reigning MVP remains the defining force of the organization as his arm talent, physicality, and experience in the biggest of moments give Buffalo a chance against anyone, anywhere. There are quarterbacks who manage games, quarterbacks who elevate schemes, and quarterbacks who can carry entire teams on their backs. Allen is firmly in that last category, and he is the reason the window remains open.

Behind him, James Cook has grown into a true foundational piece. The former second-round pick led the NFL in rushing this fall, and his evolution from space player to complete back has reshaped Buffalo’s offense. While Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, and Frank Gore Jr. have served usefully in rotational roles, Cook is the engine.

His burst, vision, and ability to threaten defenses horizontally and vertically have made life easier for Allen, and steadied an offense that has leaned too heavily on its quarterback in years past.

The questions begin to surface once you move outside.

Khalil Shakir is a success story, a fifth-round pick out of Boise State who has carved out a meaningful role through toughness and reliability. But beyond him, however, the Bills could use more answers. Brandin Cooks, Tyrell Shavers, and Gabe Davis -- who tore his ACL against Jacksonville -- have all had moments, but none profile as long-term solutions.

Keon Coleman remains the most intriguing wild card. Drafted in the second round out of Florida State in 2024, Coleman has every physical trait you want in a boundary receiver. Size, strength, catch-point ability -- it's all there. The issue has been consistency and trust, as Coleman has struggled to stay on the field and earn the confidence of Sean McDermott’s staff. But if that light ever fully clicks on, Buffalo may already have its future No. 2 receiver. If not, the position remains an area that demands attention.

Up front, the Bills continue to lean on experience. Dion Dawkins sets the tone on the left side, while Connor McGovern brings steadiness inside. Spencer Brown has been uneven at times at right tackle, but the flashes are enough to keep him in the mix. O'Cyrus Torrence stands out as the youngest and arguably most important long-term piece, as the former Florida standout has quietly become one of the better young guards in football since entering the league in 2023. Under the guidance of Aaron Kromer, the offensive line remains functional, physical, and dependable -- a necessary foundation for a team built around No. 17.

At tight end, Dalton Kincaid is the headliner. The 2023 first-round pick has become a central figure in the passing game when healthy, especially in high-leverage moments. Dawson Knox remains part of the fabric of the offense, a player Allen trusts implicitly. Jackson Hawes, selected in the fifth round in 2025, brings a different element. One of the best blocking tight ends in his class out of Georgia Tech, Hawes may not fill the stat sheet, but he will play real snaps as long as he's comfortable and willing to stick his face in the mud.

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Defensively, Buffalo’s core is a mix of established veterans and emerging youth.

Greg Rousseau remains a foundational edge defender, as his length and power fit exactly what the Bills want on the outside shoulder of the tackle. Deone Walker, a fourth-round pick out of Kentucky in 2025, is still a work in progress physically, but his sheer size creates problems at 6-foot-6, north of 345 pounds. TJ Sanders, the second-rounder from South Carolina, is another piece expected to grow into a larger role over time. Javon Solomon offers depth and special teams value, while Joey Bosa and A.J. Epenesa (pending free agent) feel more like short-term options than long-term pillars.

Linebacker remains a veteran-driven group. Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard anchor the middle when healthy, while Dorian Williams continues to serve as a valuable hybrid defender and core special teamer.

In the secondary, Buffalo has reason for optimism. Christian Benford’s development from a day-three pick into a reliable starter has been well documented. Cole Bishop took a significant leap in 2025, punctuated by his sealing interception against Jacksonville. Taron Johnson remains elite in the slot, even as mileage accumulates. And Maxwell Hairston, a 2025 first-rounder out of Kentucky, battled injuries late, but is viewed as a long-term starter opposite Benford within the walls in Orchard Park.

As the Bills head deeper into January and look toward 2026, the formula is familiar.

Josh Allen is the centerpiece. James Cook is the stabilizer. The offensive line is experienced and battle-tested. Defensively, the foundation is solid, though reinforcements are needed.

The window is still open for McDermott and GM Brandon Beane, sure, but what Buffalo does in the next few weeks could determine how long it stays that way.