Buffalo Bills: 2026 NFL Draft Grades

It felt like the Buffalo Bills spent the entire 2026 NFL draft moving backward on the board. They were consistently trading down and accumulating value throughout the process. While the lack of aggression early may frustrate some, the Bills ultimately came away with a solid collection of players at generally appropriate draft value. The class reflects a continued emphasis on versatility, defensive depth, and adding players who fit the team’s evolving schematic identity.

Buffalo Bills: 2026 NFL Draft Class Overview

Draft Pick Selections

Round 2 | Pick 35 Overall

TJ Parker | EDGE | Clemson

Parker is a strong addition at solid value. He gives Buffalo a well-rounded edge presence capable of impacting both the pass and run game. He brings length, power, and a developing pass-rush profile with room to expand his arsenal at the next level. His addition creates a quality rotational pairing opposite Greg Rousseau while also complementing the veteran presence of Bradley Chubb.

Round 2 | Pick 62 Overall

Davison Igbinosun | Corner | Ohio State

The physical upside with Igbinosun is easy to understand given his combination of size, speed, and press-man traits. However, the penalty concerns were significant enough to make this feel slightly rich at this point in the draft. Still, Buffalo’s transition toward a more press-man oriented defensive structure should help maximize his strengths and provide a cleaner schematic fit.

Round 4 | Pick 102 Overall

Jude Bowry | Offensive Tackle | Boston College

This was good value for one of the more intriguing developmental offensive tackles in the middle rounds. Bowry offers swing tackle versatility with the ability to potentially provide depth at guard as well. At the NFL level, he likely projects initially as a backup. However, there are enough tools present to envision eventual starter upside with continued development.

Round 4 | Pick 125 Overall

Skyler Bell | Wide Receiver | Connecticut

Skyler Bell fits Buffalo’s offensive identity well as a receiver capable of creating after the catch and operating in space. The concern is that his skill set overlaps somewhat with existing pieces already on the roster, creating a degree of redundancy within the receiver room. Still, the value at this point of the draft was strong, and Bell has a legitimate opportunity to carve out an early rotational role.

Round 4 | Pick 126 Overall

Kaleb Elarms-Orr | Linebacker | TCU

Elarms-Orr felt slightly early relative to other linebackers still available on the board, though the overall draft range remains acceptable. He is a solid player with workable traits, but there were other prospects at the position who may have offered a stronger combination of value and upside. Overall, this projects as a reasonable depth addition more than a major impact selection.

Round 5 | Pick 167 Overall

Jalen Kilgore | Corner | South Carolina

One of the better value selections in the 2026 NFL draft class for the Buffalo Bills. Kilgore offers intriguing versatility with questions still remaining about his ideal long-term position, though nickel appears to be his cleanest projection at the next level. While refinement is still needed in coverage consistency, the balance of upside, competitiveness, and value makes this an excellent fifth-round gamble.

Round 5 | Pick 181 Overall

Zane Durant | Defensive Tackle | Penn State

Durant himself aligns well with the value of the selection, carrying a fifth-round caliber projection entering the draft. The more interesting question revolves around fit within Buffalo’s defensive structure, particularly in a 3-4 alignment where a larger two-gapping nose tackle often carries increased importance. Durant projects more naturally as a 3, 4, or 5-technique defender rather than a true nose presence, leaving some lingering questions about long-term interior role allocation and depth.

Round 7 | Pick 220 Overall

Toriano Pride Jr. | Corner | Missouri

Pride is a traits-based late-round corner with developmental upside and intriguing athletic ability. Exposure to his full body of work may not have been as extensive compared to some other defensive backs in the class. However, the flashes of movement skills and competitiveness are evident when studying surrounding prospects. At this stage of the draft, Buffalo is betting on athletic traits and secondary depth development.

Round 7 | Pick 239 Overall

Tommy Doman Jr. | Punter | Florida

Buffalo addresses special teams depth late in the draft with Doman, adding competition and long-term stability at punter. Late-round specialists rarely generate major attention. However, securing controllable depth at a key special teams position remains valuable roster management.

Round 7 | Pick 241 Overall

Ar’Maj Reed-Adams | Guard | Texas A&M

A solid late-round addition who provides quality depth along the interior offensive line. Reed-Adams brings physicality and developmental versatility, giving Buffalo another rotational option in the trenches with potential practice squad and reserve value early in his career.

Best Value Pick — Jalen Kilgore

As one of the better value selections in Buffalo’s draft class Kilgore offers versatility and an upside to become a strong nickel corner at the NFL level. In the fifth round adding a player of Kilgore’s value who I viewed as a third round prospect is outstanding value.

Biggest Question Mark — Zane Durant

I like the player and I think the draft capital was appropriate. However, the fit within Buffalos scheme is a little questionable only because I feel like they actually needed to add depth at nose tackle, a position in which they didn’t address.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Buffalo did a good job of adding players at positions of need. They also found ways to navigate the board to maximize their draft capital after trading a second round pick for D.J. Moore from the Chicago Bears. One of the glaring needs from Buffalo in the last couple years was a lack of a true difference-maker as a pass catcher for Josh Allen. D.J. Moore is looking for a rebound season and I think that he fits what the Bills want to do on offense wonderfully. This was a good pairing early in the new league year and Buffalo did well move back in the draft to reload on draft capital after acquiring him. Overall, a good start to the Bills off-season.

Final Draft Grade: B