When you look at who the Buffalo Bills brought in through the NFL Draft, there is no denying that they didn’t just address major needs, but they also brought in players who have the chance to contribute immediately as rookies. While the Bills are about development for the long-term, they also have to make sure that they get players who can get meaningful snaps right away.
The Bills are in a Super Bowl window and Josh Allen isn’t getting any younger. They have been on the doorstep this decade, but have only made the AFC title game twice, losing both of them at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs. Now with Joe Brady running the sideline instead of Sean McDermott, fans are hoping that he can be the one to bring the Lombardi trophy to Buffalo.
Despite not making a selection in the first round due to multiple trade-downs, the Bills still managed to bring in big defensive help while also giving Josh Allen some help on the offense. NFL Draft Analyst Chad Reuter from NFL.com listed two specific Day 3 picks the Bills made as players who may see the field as starters sooner than later.
Bills may get immediate production from 2 of their Day 3 draft picks
Reuter listed wide receiver Skyler Bell and safety Jalon Kilgore as players who could be on the field as starters for the Bills in 2026, and the projections aren’t surprising.
"At 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, I believe Bell has the frame to play outside and inside. He wins with quickness on the boundary and is effective on all three levels. I’m expecting the Bills to find ways to get him onto the field alongside Khalil Shakir and DJ Moore at receiver." said Reuter about Bell.
Bell is arguably the best pick the Bills made because of his ability to do damage after the catch. He is shifty and can play anywhere lined up on the line. Even with trading for D.J. Moore back in March, the Bills may have a new go-to receiver for Allen with Bell.
"C.J. Gardner-Johnson Jr. signed a one-year deal to shore up the Bills' secondary this offseason, but Kilgore's aggressive run defense and ability to find the ball in coverage could force Buffalo to play him more than expected in Year 1." said Reuter about Kilgore.
As for Kilgore, this might be a tad bit of a stretch considering that the Bills have Cole Bishop and signed both C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone. Granted, both of them are just on one-year deals, but Gardner-Johnson should be the penciled-in starter with Bishop.
At the same time, Kilgore was a steal in the 5th round and with his ability to provide great run-support, him seeing meaningful snaps early on should not surprise Bills fans. If anything, it should provide reassurance that the Bills have their two starting safeties of the future.
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