The Buffalo Bills didn’t make a selection in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Buffalo entered the NFL Draft with the 26th overall pick, but didn’t pick again until 91. So, the Bills trading down to try to close the gap between picks seemed likely, yet what the Bills did was a bit of a surprise.
The Bills ended up trading from 26 to 28, then from 28 to 31, and from 31 to 35. After not making a selection in the first round, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had high praise for Bills general manager Brandon Beane.
“Buffalo didn’t pick any players Thursday, but it added some picks in three trade-backs. The Bills entered with seven picks and now have nine,” Kiper Jr. wrote. “In a year without many players with true first-round grades, this is good management of the board for general manager Brandon Beane. Maybe Buffalo uses one or two of those to move up for someone such as Georgia receiver Zachariah Branch on Day 2? The Bills need a linebacker, too, and CJ Allen (Georgia), Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech) and Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas) are still available.”
Kiper was impressed with what the Bills were able to do in the first round. The team was patient and ended up adding more picks to either select players or use them as ammo to move up.
So, Kiper was thoroughly impressed with what the Bills were able to do in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, in what is considered to be as top-heavy as other drafts.
What Picks do Bills Have?
Buffalo was able to add multiple picks to its arsenal and now has nine total picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Bills will have plenty of ammo to move around the draft and be aggressive for players they want. Buffalo will have two picks on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. But now has three fourth-round picks and two fifth-round picks, which could allow it to add another third-round pick.
Buffalo’s 2026 draft picks entering Day 2 are as follows:
- Round 2: No. 35 overall (from Tennessee Titans)
- Round 3: No. 66 overall (from Tennessee Titans)
- Round 4: No. 101 overall (from Tennessee Titans)
- Round 4: No. 125 overall (from New England Patriots)
- Round 4: No. 126 overall
- Round 5: No. 167 overall (from Houston Texans)
- Round 5: No. 168 overall
- Round 6: No. 182 overall (from Las Vegas Raiders)
- Round 7: No. 220 overall (from New York Jets)
The Bills will now look to add impact players on Day 2 and Day 3 of the NFL Draft to help fill out the roster.
Who Could Buffalo Select at 35th Overall?
The Bills will have plenty of options at 35th overall.
Buffalo was heavily mocked to select linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, DT Kayden McDonald, edge rusher Cashius Howell, LB CJ Allen, and WR Denzel Boston at 26th overall, and all remain available.
The Bills will have options on both sides of the ball. But adding to their defense likely makes the most sense.
The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner has the Bills selecting McDonald at 35th overall.
“The Bills traded down three times in Round 1, perhaps wisely. So this is set to be their first pick of the 2026 draft. Buffalo might be in position to snag a quality receiver here (Denzel Boston?), the next-best linebacker on their list or a player such as McDonald, who would fill a need up front defensively,” Baumgardner wrote.
Baumgardner then has the Bills selecting wide receiver Chris Bell out of Louisville at 66th overall.
Mel Kiper Jr. Gives Bills GM Brandon Beane High Praise After Day 1 of NFL Draft