It’s been a while since the NFL Draft isn’t the ‘Center Ring Attraction’ in WNY in April! Go Sabres! But I go back all the way to the 1971 NFL Draft; and have well-honed divided attention skills. My favorite sports page every year growing up was the Monday after the NFL Draft; all 12 rounds of picks were listed in print I would struggle to read now for all 26 teams. I’ve read my draft guides, listened to podcasts, read everything on this site from Dean Kindig and John Green. It’s time to weigh in.
I start with the premise that the Bills entered this offseason with three equal tier one priorities. Find a #1 WR. Improve the pass rush. Improve the run defense. DJ Moore and Bradley Chubb address two of those in a big way. I have far higher expectations for those guys than any rookie drafted in the Bills’ range. I acknowledge the long-term concerns at WR and Edge, but to me “long term” should be synonymous with Day 3 and/or 2027. Give me a Round 4 WR and a Round 5 Edge. Put those positions atop the leader board next year. Let me see what happens with Keon Coleman and Javon Solomon. I believe there is upside.
If I were Brandon Beane this weekend, I would be laser focused on improving their run defense. The Bills were tied for 7th in receiving TDs and added DJ Moore. The Bills were only 3 sacks short of 14th, changed schemes, and added Bradley Chubb. Rushing defense? 27th. Crickets as far as personnel is concerned.
Baby Boomer Bills Backers know our Nose Tackles and Middle Linebackers well. Fred Smerlas. Ted Washington. Mike Stratton. Jim Haslett. Shane Conlon. I love Deone Walker, but it would be a shame to limit his diverse abilities as a full time 3-4 NT. Terrell Bernard wasn’t viewed as a Mike when he was drafted, more as Matt Milano insurance, and now he comes with durability questions.
Trading down is a popular option, but I believe the Bills will pick at #26 because their guy is still on the board. Maybe there is more than one guy that they wouldn’t pass on. IF Arizona offered #34 and #65 for #26 and a 5th, it would tip the scale.
My official “sheet of integrity” Bills Mock Draft says no deal, but for fun I’ll throw in the alternative reality.
Rd 1 Pick 26:
Kayden McDonald DT Ohio State. The best run stopping defender in the 2026 Draft. His value is highest in a 3-4, so I chuckle when I see him mocked to teams that employ 4-3. If the question is: What player drafted in bottom half of Round One would get the most snaps in Buffalo in 2026? The answer is Kayden McDonald.
Rd 3 Pick 91:
Jalon Kilgore DB South Carolina. Capable of playing everywhere… safety, slot, and boundary. He reminds me of Taron Johnson, which is a good endorsement. If one of the five second round middle linebackers (CJ Allen, Anthony Hill, Jacob Rodriguez, Jake Golday, and Josiah Trotter falls far enough, maybe Beane can pull a sleight of hand.
Rd 4 Pick 126:
Skyler Bell WR UConn. Who knows exactly which WRs will still be on the board, but the depth of the WR class works in Buffalo’s favor. Somebody fun will fall.
Rd 5 Pick 165:
Red Murdock LB UB. In this scenario, Shaq Thompson returns. UB products have a nice track record lately.
Rd 5 Pick 168:
Mikail Kamara Edge Indiana. Edge might be a big priority next year, but I’m bullish on Javon Solomon and Kamara can contribute.
Rd 6 Pick 182:
Ethan Burke Edge Texas. Built like AJ Epenesa; and Beane’s double-dip for ’26.
Rd 7 Pick 220:
Ryan Eckley P Michigan State. The Murdock pick may have used up my homer quota, so I’ll be different than most and take Eckley over Syracuse’s Jack Stonehouse.
The alternative?
Keeping it simple: Buffalo Trades #26 and #165 to Arizona for #34 and #65.
#34- Buffalo selects Lee Hunter NT Texas Tech.
#65- Buffalo selects Josiah Trotter, MLB, Missouri. Trading down is a no-brainer if McDonald is off the board. It’s razor-close, but I still wouldn’t pass on McDonald.
Enjoy this sunny glorious Sports Day in WNY! Let’s Go Buffalo!
Editor’s babble: Many thanks to Joe Reagan for his contributions to our blog. You can also find Joe on X @joer869.
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