“Pick Six” For 2026 NFL Draft, April 2026

This is it –my final Pick Six for 2026. As I looked over last month’s Pick Six, I see some changes, not only in positional ranking of players, but also a shift in emphasis. Brandon Beane’s signing of free agents since March 23 included Damar Hamlin (S), who was re-signed to a one-year depth deal; Lloyd Cushenberry (C), who signed a one-year contract to bolster the interior offensive line;
Austin Corbett (G/C), also a one-year deal for depth; and another one-year bridge, Trent Sherfield (WR), to add veteran experience to the receiving corps. My updated Bills Depth Chart lives here. Beane often signs one-year “bridge” contracts when drafting a rookie at the same position. Beane signed Damien Harris (one-year) and later Latavius Murray to veteran minimum deals. Shortly thereafter, Beane drafted Ray Davis. He also does it after the draft. The Bills signed Chase Claypool and Mack Hollins to one-year “bridge” deals in May following Keon Coleman’s RD2 pick.

Below is my final list of six players I’m suggesting for each of the Bills’ projected 2026 draft picks, focusing Brandon Beane’s selections on these identified needs: (1) Bigger, Pressuring Defensive End; (2) NT dominator, especially vs the run (Bills rank #30 vs the run); (3) Versatile Safety opposite Cole Bishop; (4) WR#1-2 With Separation and Speed, preferably with return skills; (5 & 6) TWO Inside Linebackers, both MIKE and WILB; and (7) EDGE Rusher. If the right CB, QB3, or LT was the clear BPA on the board, I would understand. You’ll take a Punter and I think a Long Snapper in Preferred Free Agency.

ROUND 1#26

Gone are our last month’s picks of Dillon Thieneman, Vega Ioane, and Kayden Proctor. While I could make a case for each at #26, they will be likely gone by the time we pick, and I don’t see the Bills using their meager Day One – Two resources to move up this year. Trading down is another story. There are so many heavily-scouted players in the #40-61 range on my Big Board that Beane will have the Cardinals at #34 (OT, EDGE, QB), Titans at #35 (WR, EDGE, CB), Raiders at #36 (QB, OT, WR), and Giants at #37 (WR, OT, DL) on speed dial. While Terrel Bernard played MIKE in Sean McDermott’s 4-2-5 system, his role in Jim Leonhard’s TITE 3-4 is optimally an attacking, high-leverage WILB rather than being limited to a traditional “thumper” middle linebacker role. CJ Allen (6006, 230, 4.67) would compete with Buffalo Joe and for the Green Dot spot at MIKE, and he has experience in a 3-4. Beane looked hard at Roquan Smith in 2018’s draft, and Allen is a Roquan clone: densely built, sideline-to-sideline range, and ouchy hit power. He sorts through traffic better than almost all of the ‘backers. I admire his vision/processing, recognition, pursuit, and play strength. CJ played with Sedrick VanPran-Granger. A Jim Leonhard defense also needs a Strongside Anchor to keep plays inside, and TJ Parker‘s that guy. Parker (6035, 263, 4.68) put up 3 solo tackles in each of 3 scouted games: ‘Cuse, LSU, and Georgia Tech. Beane looks for violent hands, ability to set the edge, and high motor (21.5 career college sacks). Parker’s “stout” playstyle make him the ideal anchor for the strong side. Parker has the highest 3-year ScoutScore of any RD1 player except LG Vega Ioane. Two RD1 slot receivers got a Combine visit —K.C. Concepcion (5115, 196, 4.45) from my hometown of Pittsford, NY, and Omar Cooper (6001, 199, 4.42). I’m pretty sure Khalil Shakir is your slot and DJ Moore is your WR1, and there’s deep speed further down the draft, and there’s the matter of Concepcion’s “knee procedure” in early March. I prefer the “trade down” option to either of these WRs.

TRADE DOWN with Cardinals (for their RD2#34, RD4#104, RD5#143) or Titans (for RD2#35, RD4#101, RD5#144):

The Bills have spent a lot of resources scouting the SEC this year, and my four favorites from that conference are Christen Miller, Anthony Hill Jr., and Josiah Trotter, and AJ Haulcy, but who does the most to improve the Bills’ abysmal run defense in 2026? The best 3 MIKEs in the tackling category are Trotter, Allen, and Hill, and the biggest and fastest of those is Anthony Hill Jr.. He’s my “Most Likely to Start” pick. Christen Miller led all DTs in pressure rate (13.6%) in this draft class, but he made only 1 tackle in this year’s scouted game vs Michigan and samesies vs Ole Miss. Rodriguez and Golday, the Big12 players, received less attention this year than Halton, Haulcy, and Miller. The surprise pick here will be WR Chris Bell from Louisville. One of his pro comps is already on our team: D.J. Moore (and the other comp is Deebo Samuel, a not-so-secret love of Big Baller Beane). While the upside is there, I worry about Bell’s ACL injury and focus drops, and wouldn’t take him until RD3. AJ Haulcy is agreat run-stopping complement to Cole Bishop. He’s one of four safeties with the most solo tackles per game over their careers (Thieneman, Jakobe Thomas, Haulcy, and Caleb Downs, in that order). The pre-draft addition of CJ Gardner-Johnson makes me wait, although no safety’s selection would surprise me less than Haulcy (unless a RD5-6 selection of Robert Spears-Jennings –mark it down).

ROUND 3, #91

I’d love to be a fly on the wall when Beane, coaches, and scouts talk about Brenen Thompson vs Deion Burks, two speedy wideouts I’d consider here. Jay Valai, now the Bills’ DB Coach, recruited speed merchant Brenen Thompson to two different schools. Thompson was “disappointed” in his 4.26 forty time, even though that tied for the fifth-fastest in Combine history! His 18.5 YPC vs AP-ranked teams (min. 10 catches) is top 3 in the draft class (with Concepcion and top PFA Donaven McCulley). Thompson had one punt return in four years, but nobody’s going to catch him on fly routes, opening up things underneath. But Deion Burks is bigger, a better-blocking option, and also serves as your KR-PR (19.86 YPR). He performed well in scouted games, especially his 7-101 (14.4) 1TD vs Michigan. My #91 pick, Jalon Kilgore, had 3 solos and 7 assists in a scouted game vs Mizzou, plus he posted the top Safety RAS at the Combine. Kilgore played with T.J. Sanders, and tied for the SEC lead in 2024 with 5 interceptions. Kilgore would be a “killer, gory” combo with Cole Bishop. His measurements (6013, 210, 4.4), are virtually identical to Cole Bishop’s (6-2, 205, 4.45), and the goal is to become positionles. Kilgore’s noted for keen football radar, long arms, and a best of position interview on my Big Board. This chameleon FS <-> SS <->NCB role seems to be what the Bills like. He had a private workout with us. Jaishawn Barham is your next great opportunity to snare a MIKE linebacker, freeing Terrel Bernard to play the WILB, where I think he’d play even better. Barham’s the tackling machine with 2.52 solo tackles per game. He put up 3 tackles, 3 assists in 2025 scouted game vs Oklahoma, playing just the second half (ahem… Barham had been ejected from the previous game against New Mexico for a targeting call on a sack). In 2024, Barham was full steam, putting up 5 solo tackles and 4 assists vs USC, 6 solo tackles vs Oregon, then 5 solos against Indiana –and all had a Bills scout ogling from the press box. He’s known as a very good run defender, but not as adept in coverage as Josiah Trotter or Anthony Hill Jr. Now, Darrel Jackson Jr. isn’t your classic 335-lb. NT at 315 lbs, but his 35″ arms, 11″ hands, elite run-stuffing ability and “impressive strength” really stood out. He’d be a great Heavy 4i in rotation; you have to decide what Oliver and Deone would play.

ROUND 4#126

The Bills had a 30-Visit with Kaleb Elarms-Orr, an ideal WILB in the Jim Leonhard system. I expect the Bills will take two LBs in this draft, and Barham with Elarms-Orr would be a home run. I know the Bills had Justin Joly (6034, 241, 4.73) in for a 30-Visit, but if Dalton Kincaid isn’t 100%, my humble suggestion is to opt for Eli Raridon (6061, 245, 4.62). He’s bigger, faster, and, like Joly, had scouts at 4 games. Raridon also has the best interview of the TEs. Just listen. You might want to watch his 5 for 97 (19.4 ypr) outing vs Miami. An injury drops him, and that may be the reason for interest in Joly. If you’re not done adding defensive hogmollies, DeMonte Capehart is another heavily-scouted Nose Tackle who isn’t 335 pounds, but his strength and ability to clog lanes and eat up double teams is considerable. Capehart had the top DT RAS at the Combine, and Clemson was the most-often-scouted school by the Bills in 2024, and Clemson was top 4 over Capehart’s career. Bills scouts attended both the Georgia and NC State games in 2025, with Bills’ General Manager Brandon Beane present at the latter. The other position the Bills might need is another Heavy 4i Blockeater. Rayshaun Benny is great value here. Like Capehart, Benny had 3 games scouted this year. His specialties are Jim Leonhard’s needs: Benny excels at holding his ground against double teams, maintaining gap discipline, and defending the run. I may like Harold Perkins for this defense more than you. I count 11 LSU players under Beane’s watch that have come from LSU to Orchard Park. Watch Perkins’ 3 solos, asst, and sack vs Clemson in 2025 scouted win, then his 1 solo, 7 asst, .5 TFL game vs USC, just blowing up the Trojans’ initial drive. A positionless player, particularly in PESO, Perkins can play JACK LB, weakside DE, WILB, or even blitz from multiple alignments in a creative defensive scheme like Leonhard’s. I hope he ends up with a team that utilizes Perkins’ elite speed, pass-rushing skills, and coverage abilities that can be utilized in space, rather than playing primarily inside the box.

ROUND 5#165 and RD5#168

TAKE TWO:

It’s time to fill the depth chart with high-upside players. You get two of these. Need a faster 4i / EDGE? Consider three of the fastest in the class. Tyreak Sapp put up 1 solo, 2 assists in the scouted game vs Miami, and 2 solos and a sack vs Tennessee. Tyreak is not related to Warren Sapp, despite sharing the same last name, but was mentored by former NFL All-Pro defensive end Jason Taylor, whom he refers to as his “football father” after playing for him in high school. Vincent Anthony Jr. from Duke played alongside DeWayne Carter, the Buffalo Bills’ 2024 pick. Anthony Jr. put up 0 solo, 3 asst, 0.5 sack, 1.5 TFL vs NCState in a scouted game. EDGE Caden Curry from Ohio State had only 1 solo tackle in the 2025 game vs Texas, but Curry’s 94/100 pass-rush grade and “violent hands” suggest he would be a Jack, a rushbacker in TITE, and the primary “Creeper” off the weak side in PESO alignments. My favorite player for this pick, Jimmy Rolder of Michigan, can play either LB role, making him valuable to the Bills’ defense, so much so that he may end up their RD4. Rolder exploded for 9 solos, 1 sack, and a fumble recovery vs Michigan State, and logged 5 solos each vs Duke and ECU. Rolder’s “textbook” tackling technique—91% rating per scouts—makes him the ideal interior anchor for a TITE front. Rolder got the 30-Visit in this round. If you don’t have your Safety yet, Michael Taaffe isn’t the big SS type, but he produces on defense (2 solos 7 asst vs Ohio State; 3 solos 4 asst vs GA) and has unequalled special teams experience (the most in this draft class: 833 snaps). You’ll like his aggression, work ethic, and coverage. In fact, Taaffe’s 40% career pressure rate, < 10.00% missed tackle rate, and < 60.0 passer rating when targeted are numbers only matched by Antoine Winfield Jr. and Bud Clark at the P4 level since 2015. Taaffe will drop due to size. Clemson’s RB/WR Adam Randall (6-3, 232, 4.5) is intriguing. He served as the backup ‘Y’ receiver to Antonio Williams, then switched to RB. This year, Randall put up 16 for 130 (8.1 ypc) rushing and 7 catches for 44 and a TD vs Syracuse (scouted), and had 15 carries for 80 (5.3) and a TD in the 2025 scouted loss to Georgia Tech. Randall’s versatility, athleticism, physicality, and work ethic are exactly what the Bills look for, even in a crowded RB room. The RB-WR flex allows you to carry fewer WRs and RBs on your roster –and on game day.

ROUND 6#182

RD6 still has players who could help the Bills in 2026 and beyond. Stevie Johnson extolled the virtues of Kendrick Law this week on Xwitter. He had a modest outing against Ole Miss (6 for 44 yards, 7.3 a pop), but more importantly, Law had the 3rd-Most YAC per reception among FBS WRs halfway through the season. Like Adam Randall above, Law’s true position is still hard to define, as he’s been featured on special teams, as a WR, and even a few snaps at RB. My Mr. Underrated 2025 and one of the best downfield blockers in the WR class, Law adds versatility as a returner and short-range weapon. SS Robert Spears-Jennings enjoyed scout eyeballs in five games in 2025, plus a meetup at the Combine, plus Bills attending his Pro Day. He dominated with 11 tackles (8 solo) and 1 TFL vs Ole Miss. Not only did RS-J play for new Bills CBs coach Jay Valai last season with the Sooners, but the Bills’ 2017-25 Assistant Director of College Scouting, Lake Dawson, just joined the Sooners as Sr. Asst GM under Jim Nagy. RS-J is willing to attack downhill and get physical. If you haven’t drafted two EDGE rushers, may I suggest Mason Reiger of Wisconsin. Reiger recorded 5.0 sacks and 45 total pressures, logging 4 TFLs in his last 5 games. After the season he was named the Defensive MVP of the East-West Shrine Bowl after a dominating performance that included 3.0 sacks. At the NFL Combine, Reiger posted a 1.61-second 10-yard split, matching T.J. Watt’s mark. The Bills met with Jayden Loving of Wake Forest, significant because Loving can play NT or the Heavy 4i. He was a terror at his Pro Day, posting a 9.92 RAS, a 4.72 forty (1st among Combine DTs); a 7.15 three-cone (also 1st); and a 4.53 short shuttle (also 1st). Loving’s 35″ vert would have been #2 at the Combine. Don’t be surprised if he hears his name early on Day 3. The Bills also met with, worked out twice with, and dined with receiver Malik Benson, who is also versatile, playing roles at slot, KR, PR, and Gunner.

ROUND 7#220

I looked for late-round gems for the Bills’ 7th-round pick, and I found more than six that would get me excited, so why limit it? First, I have four cornerbacks for your consideration. The 200-pounders, Andre Fuller of Toledo (private workout, sub-4.5 Combine, pro day, 0 games scouted) and Devon Marshall of NCState (4 games, pro day, no Combine), both have CB-SAF potential, and Lorenzo Styles Jr. would be competition at Nickel CB (NOTE: I didn’t even include Domani Jackson of Alabama on my list, and he may be the best of the four in zone coverage). Brandon Cleveland is a great guess if your D-Line isn’t deep enough by Day 3. Bills met with him at the Combine, and he swallowed Duke whole in a scouted game, with 4 pressures, 3 QB hurries, and a sack. Cleveland finished the season with 6.5 TFL, two sacks, and 20 run stops. Cameron Ball‘s interview was one of the best among the IDLs; I’d play him at Heavy 4i. Louis Moore is an overachiever who can play FS and excels at the split-safety, “robber” coverages Leonhard uses. Moore impressed in the Iowa game, scouted, with 6 tackles and his INT of Hank Brown in Indiana territory in the fourth quarter. I don’t think the Bills will wait until late Day 3 to secure their WILL linebacker, but Kendal Daniels‘ size (6’5″, 242) and his standout play in Bills-scouted games (6 tackles, 2 solo, 2.5 TFL, 1 PBU vs Ole Miss; 5 solos, 2 assists, 1 sack, and 1.5 TFL during a defeat by Utah in 2024) made me take notice. Daniels ended up as the Big 12 leader in solo tackles per game. Lorenzo Styles Jr. took Jordan Hancock’s spot at “nickel” corner when SS Lathan Ransom was out. He showed out vs 2025-scouted Texas with 3 solos, 4 assists. A transfer from Notre Dame, Styles has made only 11 solo tackles in 10 starts. J. Michael Sturdivant is your developmental ‘X’ receiver. His interview was among the best among the playmakers in this class.

Editor’s babble: I feel ever so much better after reading Dean’s analysis here. With less free time at the moment it’s a blessing to read Dean’s work. You can also find Dean on X @TCBILLS_Astro.