The Buffalo Bills could make an intriguing late-round pick at quarterback.
Buffalo has had its franchise quarterback under control for years with Josh Allen, and the team brought back Kyle Allen to be the backup. However, the Bills could look to draft a quarterback late to compete with Allen to be the backup and add a cost-controllable backup.
Ahead of the NFL Draft beginning on Thursday, Bills insider Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic predicts Buffalo will select Cade Klubnik with the 182nd overall pick in the sixth round.
“Klubnik had a 2025 season that left a bit to be desired,” Buscgalia wrote. “However, his performance in 2024, along with workable traits as an athletic quarterback with an arm strong enough for Buffalo weather, could make the draft cost of a sixth-round pick seem entirely worthwhile to Beane and the Bills.
“The 6-foot-2, 207-pound Klubnik would compete immediately with Kyle Allen, who is a fringe No. 2 quarterback in the NFL, for the backup job. If Klubnik wins the job outright, the Bills have a multi-year, cost-controlled backup for Josh Allen. If he doesn’t, they have the roster space to keep three quarterbacks in 2026.”
Klubnik was once a highly-touted college quarterback, but injuries and inconsistent play hindered his draft stock.
At Clemson last season, Klubnik threw for 2,943 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions in a rather disappointing season. The year prior, he threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions.
Klubnik Was a Heisman Frontrunner
Entering the 2025 college football season, Klubnik was considered a Heisman frontrunner.
Clemson was considered a national championship threat, but Klubnik struggled, as did the entire team. Yet, ahead of the season, NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks ranked Klubnik No. 2 in Heisman Trophy favorites.
“With Clemson appearing poised to re-emerge as a true national title contender, the buzz surrounding Klubnik could make him the Heisman favorite by the middle of the season,” Brooks wrote. “He tallied 43 total touchdowns in 2024. Showcasing a dynamic game that enables the Tigers to feature a mix of screens, scrambles and shots, keeping opponents guessing in crucial moments.
“Given Klubnik’s potential to put up big numbers on a loaded team that could blow through the ACC and earn a high seed in the College Football Playoff, the senior quarterback could become the first Heisman Trophy winner in Clemson history.”
Ultimately, Klubnik struggled in 2025, but he still could be an effective NFL backup, and that could happen with the Bills.
When Did The Bills Last Draft a QB?
Buffalo hasn’t selected a quarterback in years, but that could change in 2026.
The Bills have their franchise quarterback in Allen, so the team hasn’t had to draft a quarterback. Buffalo has also brought in veterans to be his backup, like Kyle Allen and Mitch Trubisky. Yet, the Bills have been rumored to draft a quarterback in 2026.
The last time the Bills selected a quarterback was when Buffalo took Jake Fromm in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Fromm was on the Bills roster for parts of two seasons before the New York Giants signed him off their practice squad.
Although drafting a quarterback to be a backup may make some fans annoyed, it is a cost-effective move. It’s a cheap way to get a backup, and if the backup plays well in preseason and other snaps, Buffalo could trade them later on for another late-round pick.
Bills Predicted to Draft Once Heisman Frontrunner to Compete for Backup QB Spot