Five at Five: 2026 NFL Draft prospects to keep in mind for Buffalo (9.0)

We’re another day closer to the start of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which means the Buffalo FAMbase blog has another helping of “Five at Five” for you to consume tonight.

You all should be accustomed to it by now, right?

Five prospects. Five o’clock — EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. — until the big day.

Sit down, relax, and dive in, Bills Mafia.

We’re not there yet, so you might as well have something for you to pass the time with.

Cheers!

Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Linebacker, Texas Christian University (6-foot-2, 234 lbs/Age: 22)

TCU’s Kaleb Elarms-Orr didn’t always play off-the-ball linebacker, but he’s certainly made a name for himself at the position in this draft cycle.

Originally a defensive end coming out as a high school prospect from Hayward, California, Elarms-Orr was a four-star recruit once his time at Moreau Catholic High School was finished, and he was rated as the 18th-best player in the state and 17th-best defensive end in the entire 2021 recruiting class according to 247Sports.com.

The now 22-year-old former Horned Frogs defender started his collegiate career by staying close to his hometown and going 30 minutes north to play in Berkeley, California, for the University of California Bears.

However, things didn’t go as planned for the former prized recruit once he arrived at Cal, as he missed the entirety of his freshman season with the Bears due to an ACL injury, and it wasn’t until the following year that he saw his first game action.

Eventually, after figuring the whole linebacking thing out, Elarms-Orr “blew up” for 92 total tackles, five pass breakups, three-and-a-half tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 2023 after earning a starting role and appearing in all 11 games. 

The California native decided to enter his name into the transfer portal following that performance, and he leaped the state borders to head down to the Lone Star State to play for Texas Christian University and head coach Sonny Dykes in 2024.

During his first season with TCU, Elarms-Orr was relegated to depth duty once again, but it wasn’t for long.

Last season, he made his way back onto the field full-time, starting all 13 games for the TCU program on his way to earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors after he registered 130 tackles, a team-high 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, and two pass deflections.

His 130 tackles were good for ninth best in the FBS.

It was a bumpy start at times for the former Moreau Catholic standout, but he persevered and stayed afloat, always continuing to oar (wink, wink) his way toward the destination of becoming an NFL player.

Could he test his luck in the rocky waters of Western New York in nearby Niagara Falls at the end of the month?

All kidding aside, there is a chance that a player like Elarms-Orr could intrigue Bills’ President of Football Operations and General Manager Brandon Beane.

If you read Lance Zierlein’s scouting report of the TCU linebacker, it sounds an awful lot like another linebacker that is already on Buffalo’s roster — Dorian Williams.

Seemingly somewhat out of control at times, but shot out of a cannon on every play, the impending draft pick can get tricked on bootlegs and often is misled by his eyes according to Zierlein, but he also has shown good potential as a blitzer and is considered to be an above-average to elite athlete, which was readily apparent at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

At the event in February, Elarms-Orr ran the 40-yard dash in an amazing time of 4.47 seconds, had a 1.59-second 10-yard split, an incredible 40” vertical jump, a 10’-4” broad jump, and a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.41 seconds.

So, when you couple in his collegiate production — 276 career tackles, 19 tackles for loss, seven sacks, seven pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one interception — along with his tremendous athletic ability, it’s easy to see why teams are enticed by the soon-to-be 23-year-old playmaking linebacker (his birthday is in August).

And, Buffalo — who conceivably needs at least one or two more linebackers on the roster — will surely be one of those teams that might be giving the TCU defender a call on draft weekend.

He’d come in and compete with Dorian Williams right away, but it might be a tall task to ask him to start immediately. 

He does, however, possess everything you look for in a starter if he can clean up some of his issues with overpursuing and misdiagnosing plays.

Elarms-Orr is projected to go anywhere from the end of Round 3 to the beginning of Round 7, so if the Bills are interested then they may have to snag him at pick No. 91 at the end of the third or at pick No. 126 in the fourth.

Let’s watch out for this name.

Germie Bernard, Wide Receiver, University of Alabama (6-foot-1, 206 lbs/Age: 22)

A native of Las Vegas, who played at nearby Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada, as a teenager, University of Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard is a prospect who NFL general managers are still deciding on whether or not he’s worth the gamble of an early selection in this year’s draft later this month.

If he isn’t, somebody might be hitting the jackpot with Bernard in the middle rounds.

At 6-foot-1, 206 pounds, the former Liberty High standout originally entered the collegiate ranks with Michigan State University before also bouncing to the University of Washington and then ultimately settling in as a member of the Crimson Tide in 2024 and 2025.

In his senior campaign down in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the versatile wideout recorded career-highs in receptions (64), receiving yards (862), rushing yards (101), passing yards (15), receiving touchdowns (7), and rushing touchdowns (2).

Yeah — Bernard can do a little bit of everything — give him an assignment and let him go to work between the painted lines.

Just don’t try to define him as a player or paint him in a certain light . . . it won’t do you any good.

He’s reliable and versatile, and those are the trademarks of his game.

Bernard can conceivably work at all three wide receiver positions as he played in the slot and on the boundary in college, and he also has the added value of being a weapon out of the backfield and in the return game, which is something he did sparingly during his time at both Washington and Michigan State (Kickoff: 16 returns for 352 yards, 22.0 avg./Punt: 3 returns for 43 yards, 14.3 avg) before handing those duties off to his teammates while down in Alabama.

He’s a smooth route-runner who’s able to effectively sink his hips in and out of his breaks, while also showing a propensity to alter his route tempos to gain separation.

In fact, Lance Zierlein compared him to former Buffalo wideout Robert Woods, who was a fan favorite during his time with the team. 

I’d also add that he’s a little like another former Bills wide receiver, Emmanuel Sanders, especially when comparing their abilities to be “quarterback friendly.”

In conclusion, there’s plenty to like about the Tuscaloosa standout’s game.

And, if the Bills were to select Bernard next week, then that would be a great skillset to add into Buffalo’s receiving group.

In my opinion, his potential as a deep threat at the next level is also being a bit undervalued. 

He seemed to dismiss those concerns from some national analysts regarding his “average” speed, though, when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in February, while also adding a good 10-yard split time of 1.52 seconds, a time of 6.71 seconds in the three-cone drill, and a 20-yard shuttle of 4.31 seconds.

He also displayed more explosive numbers in the broad jump by posting a respectable measurement of 10’-5”. 

Overall, Bernard appears to be one of the cleaner prospects in this class despite not being the flashiest name on the board.

He shows good concentration along the sideline, has good hands, quality field vision, and has good size to withstand the rigors of surviving hits while working the middle of the field at the next level.

I’m not quite sure why he’s not being talked about more, but I do know that FAMbase readers should be happy if Buffalo can somehow grab Bernard in the third round at pick No. 91 or with a slight trade up.

He’s projected to go anywhere on Day 2.

For his career between Michigan State, Washington, and Alabama, Bernard finished with 155 receptions, 2,203 receiving yards, 13 receiving touchdowns, 184 rushing yards (36 attempts, 5.1 YPC avg.), five rushing touchdowns, and 29 passing yards (3-for-3, 100% completion rate).

If Buffalo is serious about adding another quality playmaker to the offense on a cheap rookie deal, then Brandon Beane needs to think long and hard about trying to find a way to land the Alabama playmaker.

The 22-year-old has all the makings of a mid-round steal who eventually goes on to have a 10-year career in the league.

Derrick Moore, EDGE, University of Michigan (6-foot-4, 255 lbs/Age: 23)

University of Michigan outside linebacker Jaishawn Barham is generating a lot of buzz during this draft cycle, but he might not even be the best pass rusher coming out of the Ann Arbor campus this spring.

That title just might belong to the player listed above — EDGE defender Derrick Moore.

The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Baltimore, Maryland, native, led the Wolverines last season with 10.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, and he finished his four-year career with the team by registering 95 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, eight pass deflections, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown.

And, although he has smaller hands than you’d prefer at 9-¼”, he does show a good ability to get into the chest of the opposing offensive tackle and bull rush his way into the backfield while trying to get after the quarterback.

He is, however, a bit underdeveloped as a run defender according to most scouting analysts, and he’s seen as more of a rotational pass rusher at this point of his career as he looks to make the jump to the next level.

In spite of that, Moore is talented . . . that’s easy to easy.

He’s relentless when going for a sack, and he plays through the ball when going for the tackle. Simply put — you’re going to feel him when he hits you.

And, the defender doesn’t seem to try to be something he’s not, he knows what he does well and he plays to his strengths.

If NFL coaches can follow suit and put him in situations to succeed, then there’s plenty of potential with a player like Moore.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see him be the player that is added to Buffalo’s new 3-4 scheme under defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard when draft weekend is all said and done.

You shouldn’t be surprised, either.

Keylan Rutledge, Offensive Guard, Georgia Tech (6-foot-4, 316 lbs/Age: 22)

Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge is one of the top-rated guards in this year’s class depending on what your favorite flavor is at the position.

And, the Buffalo Bills just might have a hankering for the Royston, Georgia, native’s style, especially considering the team’s left-guard position is in a bit of a state of flux right now after the departure of veteran David Edwards, who was paid handsomely by the New Orleans Saints in free agency earlier this offseason.

The team did bring in veteran Austin Corbett on a one-year deal a few weeks ago, and also re-signed Alec Anderson to a rather insignificant one-year deal, but that doesn’t mean that Brandon Beane won’t take a swing on an interior lineman earlier than expected if he thinks that player could be an immediate long-term answer.

Should such a player fall into his lap anywhere from the third round to the fifth round, then it will surely be tempting for Beane, to say the least.

Rutledge might be that player.

At 6-foot-4, 316 pounds, Rutledge is well put together with 33-¼” arms and sufficient 10” hands, which he utilizes effectively to generate a good “pop” in his initial contact with incoming defensive linemen.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein believes the hardnosed former Franklin County High School standout has the ability and technique to function within any blocking scheme at the next level, and Zierlein also noted that Rutledge’s demeanor on the field is a bit of a “rugged,” throwback style, which should endear him to NFL offensive line coaches and fans alike.

He began his collegiate journey at Middle Tennessee State University in 2022 and proceeded to start 17 of 22 games in two seasons before being awarded with First-Team All-Conference USA honors in 2023 after earning captain status with the team as a sophomore.

As many players do these days, especially ones playing at lower levels of college football, Rutledge took his talents to the transfer portal following his successful stint with the Blue Raiders, and — despite nearly losing his foot in a car accident that offseason — he wound up latching on with Georgia Tech, which is where he spent the last two seasons.

It wound up being a perfect match as he received First-Team All-ACC honors in both seasons after starting 26 straight games at right guard. He also earned Third-Team AP All-American honors in 2025.

With all of that said, at the very least, Rutledge will be a quality depth player at the next level.

But, there’s massive potential with the bruising interior lineman, and he could conceivably compete for a starting position as early as next season if he lands on his feet in the right NFL spot.

Buffalo makes a lot of sense.

People want to hype Alec Anderson up for his demeanor, but he’s a former undrafted free agent. 

Rutledge can meet Anderson’s level of intensity, and he also has the talent to match that attitude.

Sounds like a good combination, doesn’t it?

Don’t be shocked if Beane decides to roll the dice by selecting the Yellow Jackets guard in the third or fourth round.

Head on a swivel during draft weekend, Bills Mafia. You just might be welcoming Rutledge to Western New York when all is said and done.

Brandon Cleveland, Defensive Tackle, North Carolina State University (6-foot-4, 307 lbs/Age: 21)

North Carolina State University defensive lineman Brandon Cleveland isn’t your typical nose tackle in terms of traditional size, as weighed in at just 307 pounds at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in February despite being 6-foot-4, but he’s more than capable of performing all of the often unrecognized duties required from a player at the zero-technique or one-technique position. 

With 25 starts accumulated over his four seasons with the Wolfpack, which started in 2022 when he came out of Carrollwood Day High School in Tampa, Florida, Cleveland was a consistent figure along the N.C. State defensive front every year that he was on campus.

He possesses a powerful grip and has a sturdy base, which allows him to be a good anchor against the run despite not being as heavy as some other defensive linemen at nose tackle in this class.

And, although he’s not a polished pass rusher by any stretch of the imagination, the Florida native does display good burst at times and has active hands, which should lead to more potential in that area as he develops under better coaching (at least supposedly) in the NFL.

Keeping that in mind, the defensive tackle is stellar against the run and he could be a potential steal for some team on Day 3 as he isn’t projected to be selected until the mid-to-late rounds according to most prognosticators.

For his career in Raleigh, North Carolina, Cleveland finished with 107 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one pass deflection.

In 2025 alone, the Wolfpack standout tallied career-highs in tackles (36) and tackles for loss (7), while also adding two sacks.

The try-hard big man would be a quality addition to any team’s defensive line in the upcoming season, and probably for many years into the future.

Players who do the dirty work deserve to be recognized for their efforts, too.

Cleveland is a certified DAWG . . . it’s almost as if he’s destined to play on the Browns’ defense, you know, given his last name. 

But, hopefully not, FAMbase readers.

He’d sure look good in the red, white, and blue.

Writer’s note: Bills Mafia, I truly hope you’re enjoying my work so far this offseason, especially the recent NFL Draft articles. If you do, please consider giving me a follow over on X (formerly Twitter). My handle on that platform is @JGreen_PRsports. I’m really trying to get my work out there, so to anyone who reads and shares — THANK YOU. It is greatly appreciated.