NFL analysts make strong arguments why Bills must go with defense in first round

When you think about some of the biggest challenges that the Buffalo Bills have had over the past few seasons, a majority if not all fans immediately think about the wide receiver position. There was a time when the Bills had a receiver room that consisted of Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, John Brown, and Isaiah McKenzie back in the early 2020s.

Over the last two seasons, the Bills have not had the best wide receiver room and it’s been a big reason why the offense has become so predictable at times. Brandon Beane has heard the criticism and his first major move this offseason for the roster was to pull off a trade for D.J. Moore that reunites him with Joe Brady from their Carolina days.

Now, there needs to be more quality talent added to the room but getting Moore was a solid start. It also gives the Bills flexibility in the draft, in which they could address another major issue that has come up for what seems like forever in the Sean McDermott era.

In all of the Bills’ playoff losses since 2020, the defense has been the main reason why the Bills fall apart and ultimately lose in a heartbreaking fashion. Now with a new defensive coordinator in Jim Leonhard who will be implementing a 3-4 defense, the scheme is going to look a lot more different than what Bills fans have seen for nearly a decade.

NFL analysts break down why Bills would be wise to choose defense in first round

NFL analysts Mina Kimes and Field Yates talked about the different options that the Bills could go with at the No. 26 overall pick, both of them picking defense, just different players. Kimes has the Bills going with Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, while Yates has the Bills going with Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell.

When it comes to McDonald, he is a pure run-stopper that would be a massive addition in the middle of the defensive line. There’s no doubt about it. Kines talked about his ability to be a pass rusher up the middle, but the Bills wouldn’t need him to be one right away as they have Ed Oliver. Let’s not forget as well, the Bills also drafted Deone Walker and T.J. Sanders in last year’s draft, yet the team still struggled to stop the run.

As for Howell, he is arguably the most underrated pass rusher in this draft class and he would make a ton of sense for the Bills. With Buffalo needing more pass rushers, Howell would bring a dynamic that would be a great fit for Leonhard’s defense. Leonhard has emphasized that he wants to continuously pressure quarterbacks off the edge. That’s all that Howell did last season with the Aggies.

While no one would blame the Bills for going with a wide receiver in the first round, going with defense in the trenches may be the smartest move that the Bills can take if they want to fix this defense that has been a liability for so long.