2026 NFL Team Draft Page

2025 Draft Grade: A

It's tough to not come away happy from Day 1 & 2 of the NFL Draft if you're a Bills fan. The team's top two needs were clearly at interior defensive line and cornerback. Many of us were hopeful for Kenneth Grant or Derrick Harmon, but with those players off the board, fast-rising CB Maxwell Hairston was a great pick late in the round.

In the second round, trading up for DT T.J. Sanders was a boon for the team, as there is footage of Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott discussing Sanders as a possible selection at 30. Many fans were clamoring for an EDGE player in the second round, as the second was chock full of solid prospects. Well, the Bills got a second-round EDGE player in the third round in Landon Jackson.

Jackson fits the exact build Sean McDermott looks for-long arms, powerful at the point of attack, and athletic. Hairston, Sanders, and Jackson should all play major roles for the Bills this season.

Day 3 was another solid day for the Bills. If Beane could've landed a receiver in the fourth round I would've given this draft an A+, but doubling down on needs at DT and DB are still great moves if you ask me.

The best pick of day 3? TE Jackson Hawes. Hawes is an unbelievable blocker and will come into the league as one of the better blocking TEs in the league. Word out of OTAs is he has better hands/movement skills than advertised. Watch for Hawes to become a major role player in this Bills offense.

Looking ahead - 2026 Draft

Hopefully the Bills will be picking 32nd in the 2026 NFL Draft. If the Bills make it to the promised land and hoist that trophy, 'needs' in the Draft are probably more like 'requests.' Looking at this roster, the only glaring need in my eyes is at WR. While Elijah Moore may become the fantastic route-running, electric playmaker he was drafted to be, but if not, I would expect the Bills to look for an outside receiver with explosive ability.-Kennedy Paynter, Senior Draft Analyst