The Buffalo Bills' 2026 rookie draft class has made significant growth and progress during the first month of the NFL regular season. In the beginning, it looked like punter Tommy Doman was light-years ahead of the pack, as he was the only one starting and producing on the field. Then, rookie cornerback Davison Igbinosun struggled with penalties, a problem he had on and off at Ohio State.
Since then, both Igbinosun and Doman have been the two most productive starting rookies, while T.J. Parker patiently waited his turn and is now playing in a bigger role on the edge.
Let's take a closer look at how each rookie fared through the first month of the 2026 NFL season.
10 Bills' draft picks looking to make a name for themselves
1.) OLB T.J. Parker (Round 2 - No. 35 overall)
T.J. Parker was a pick general manager Brandon Beane considered late in the first round, but he wisely traded out of the first round to grab the Clemson edge rusher at No. 35 overall, to manufacture more draft picks.
The 6-foot-3, 263-pound athlete continues Beane's trend of preferring bigger, power edge rushers over smaller, faster ones who can't defend the run. He had to wait his turn as he entered the season behind Bradley Chubb and Greg Rousseau, but he is competing with Chubb as the No. 2 edge rusher behind Rousseau.
2.) CB Davison Igbinosun (Round 2 - No. 62 overall)
Davison Igbinosun was a big surprise pick, but he has managed to rise as arguably the best rookie for the Bills. The 6-foot-2, 193-pound athlete is a tall, lengthy corner who has played well in man coverage and has overcome the penalty issues he suffered in college and even during the first part of the regular season.
3.) OT Jude Bowry (Round 4 - No.102 overall)
The swing tackle brought in for depth was not dressed this year, and his spot has been taken over by Tylan Grable, who finished Week 5 at right tackle after Spencer Brown left the game due to a back injury. The 6-foot-5, 314-pound athlete still has time to be active, and hopefully, hears his name called next time over Grable if either Brown or Dion Dawkins is out.
4.) WR Skyler Bell (Round 4 - No. 125 overall)
The 5-foot-11, 192-pound wideout sat out the first four weeks of the season, but finally played in his first two NFL games in Weeks 5 and 6, without recording any stats. With the Bills now having a functional deep receiving room for Josh Allen to work with, Skyler Bell may finally have a full role on the team, especially if someone like Joshua Palmer ends up being traded before the trade deadline.
5.) ILB Kaleb Elarms-Orr (Round 4 - No. 126 overall)
The 6-foot-2, 234-pound linebacker looked like he was going to be the Bills' starter at training camp as he was outperforming Dorian Williams, who has acquired himself well as the team's current starter.
Just like Parker, Beane views Kaleb Elarms-Orr as being physically ready for the NFL; he just needs to get used to the speed of the pro game. He has recorded five tackles so far in a limited sample size.
6.) DB Jalon Kilgore (Round 5 - No. 167 overall)
After the ejection of starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Jalon Kilgore earned his first meaningful reps at safety and forced a huge pass breakup against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Gamecock alum is a hard-hitting safety who isn't afraid to lay the big hit on a receiver. He will now earn more opportunities to show that physicality, with Gardner-Johnson suspended for Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens.
7.) DT Zane Durant (Round 5 - No. 181 overall)
The native Penn State athlete shined in camp, but has been on IR since the regular season started. It looks like the 6-foot-1, 290-pound tackle will stay on IR and take a medical redshirt year as a rookie, as Phildarian Mathis is off his three-week suspension and there is too much depth at this position this year for Zane Durant to see the field.
8.) CB Toriano Pride (Round 7 - No. 220 overall)
The Bills waived Toriano Pride on cutdown day, and the 4-2 Cleveland Browns claimed the 5-foot-10, 185-pound coverage corner. Pride has yet to make any kind of impact for the Cleveland Browns this season.
9.) P Tommy Doman (Round 7 - No. 239 overall)
Despite logging only 12 punts, he has an average of 48.7 yards per punt. Tommy Doman is now the holder for Tyler Bass and is enjoying a fine rookie season so far.
10.) G Ar'Maj Reed-Adams (Round 7 - No. 241 overall)
Ar'Maj Reed-Adams surprised at training camp, playing well enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster as a developmental guard. The 6-foot-5, 314-pound athlete that is built for the trenches on the inside; look for him to earn more playing time in Week 18 when the starters rest for the playoffs.
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