2026 AFC East NFL Draft recap | Picks, analysis, offseason
5 min read
The New England Patriots are counting on first-round pick Caleb Lomu (No. 71 pictured) to help round out its offensive line.
The 2026 NFL Draft featured an AFC East that broke through in 2025. It represented the conference in Super Bowl LX and kept up its torrid pace in this year’s draft. New York came into the draft with two first-rounders and traded back into the round for a third.
In addition, the Miami Dolphins traded before and during the draft to close the gap on its rivals. Those moves kept the rest of the division on its toes. New England moved around several times on the chess board, as did the Buffalo Bills. In fact, the Buffalo Bills traded down at least three times and did not make its first pick until 35th overall in the second round.
Bills Mafia
Buffalo began by trading the 26th overall pick (Keylan Rutledge) and a 2026 third-round pick (91st overall-Trey Zuhn III-Raiders) to the Houston Texans. In return, they received a 2026 first-rounder (28th overall), third-rounder (69th overall) and a 2026 fifth-rounder (167th overall).
General manager Brandon Beane then went to work.
He traded the 28th overall pick to division rival New England in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick (31st overall) and 2026 fourth-rounder (125th overall). Soon thereafter, he took the 31st overall pick and traded it the Tennessee Titans. Buffalo also gave Tennessee a third-rounder (69th overall) and a 2026 fifth-rounder (165th overall)
What did the Bills get in return?
The Titans’ 2026 second-round pick (35th overall), a 2026 third-rounder (66th overall) and a 2026 fourth-rounder (101st overall).
With all of that said, it is one thing to acquire draft capital and another thing to use it effectively. Beane did the latter.
He used the third-rounder (66th overall) he picked up from Tennessee to trade up four spots into the second round. With that selection, the Bills took former Ohio State corner Davison Igbinosun with the 62nd overall pick. They had to relinquish a sixth-round pick (182nd overal-Taylen Green) in the process.
Later, the Bills used the 101st overall pick they acquired from Tennessee to trade down one spot in the fourth round with the Las Vegas Raiders. They grabbed Boston College OT Jude Bowry a pick later (102nd overall) and picked up a 2027 seventh-rounder in the trade.
And remember that 2026 fourth-rounder (125th overall) they picked up from the Patriots in the first-round trade for Pick No. 28? They used the capital to select the nation’s second-leading receiver (yards per game) in UConn’s Skyler Bell.
| 2026 NFL DRAFT RECAP: AFC EAST | |||||||||||
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| Draft Order, Team, Rd, Pick | Selection | Outlook | Offensive FA signings/Trades | Defensive FA signings/Trades | Free Agent losses | Re-signed | Team Needs (Draft) or post-draft | Draft Day trades, prior trades | |||
| NEW YORK JETS | |||||||||||
| 1 (2) New York Jets | David Bailey 6’4 251 DE/OLB-Texas Tech, Stanford | Bailey joins a room with multiple rushers who are capable of getting to the QB. Will McDonald IV, Joseph Ossai and Bailey should become a formidable trio. Bailey’s hand displacement capability is outstanding. In school, he also flashed a roll move (QB sack, 2nd QTR, KU ’25). In addition, he has displayed timing his leaps to affect passing lanes (PBU, CFP QTR, 2nd QTR/4:08, PBU, 2nd QTR/1:40). | Traded a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for QB Geno Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick (228th overall)______________ OG Dylan Parham (Raiders) on a two-year deal, PK Cade York | Traded DE Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for DT T’Vondre Sweat_________________Reportedly agreed to trade a 2026 seventh-round pick (238th overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for S Minkah Fitzpatrick____________ DE Joseph Ossai (Bengals) on a three-year deal, LB Demario Davis (Saints) on a two-year deal, DT David Onyemata (Falcons) on a one-year deal, DT Kingsley Enagbare (Packers) on a one-year deal, S Dane Belton (Giants) on a one-year deal, CB Nahshon Wright (Bears) on a one-year deal | OG John Simpson (Ravens), OL Alijah Vera-Tucker (Patriots), PK Nick Folk (Falcons), LB Quincy Williams (Browns), DE Michael Clemons (Colts), WR John Metchie (Panthers), TE Stone Smartt (Eagles) | TE Jelani Woods, OT Max Mitchell on a one-year deal, OT Chukwuma Okorafor, RB Kene Nwangwu on a one-year deal, FB Andrew Beck on a one-year deal, LB Mykal Walker on a one-year deal, S Andre Cisco on a one-year deal | QB, WR, IOL, DE, NB, PK | ||||
| 1 (16) New York Jets | Kenyon Sadiq 6’3 241 TE-Oregon | The Idaho native worked hard in the weight room (365-lb PC) to put on positive weight. He has shown fresh timing as an insert blocker. Disciplined blocker on the edge (Northwestern ’25). He has exhibited balance to stay up after contact from DBs. He and Mason Taylor should form an excellent combination in 12 personnel (2 TE, 2 WR, RB) sets. | QB, WR, IOL, DE, NB, PK | ||||||||
| 1 (30) New York Jets (from San Francisco via Miami) | Omar Cooper, Jr. 6’0 199 WR-Indiana, JMU | The 200-pounder actually averaged over 21.2 yards per catch in 2024 (7 TDs). Toe-tap Red Zone receptions often showed up on corner patterns (Oregon ’25, Gm 1). It was a big reason he posted 13 TDs as a senior. He knifes up the field after quick slants or quick posts. The team frequently moved him around quite a bit in school. | QB, WR, IOL, DE, NB, PK | The New York Jets traded a 2026 second-round pick (33rd overall) and a 2026 fifth-round pick (179th overall) to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick (30th overall) | |||||||
| 2 (50) New York Jets (from Detroit Lions) | D’Angelo Ponds CB-Indiana, JMU | Ponds was outstanding in 2023 (2 INTs, 13 PBUs) for JMU, but perhaps even better at Indiana. Want proof? Two of his five INTs for the Hoosiers came in CFP contests. He may lose some of the bigger matchups, but his gambles showcase prepared calculations in off man or zone coverage. | QB, WR, IOL, DE, NB, PK | The New York Jets traded a 2026 second-round pick (44th overall) to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick (50th overall) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (128th overall), | |||||||
| 4 (103) New York Jets | Darrell Jackson, Jr. 6’5 315 DT-FSU, Miami (Fla.), Maryland | Jackson, Jr. can more than handle at least part-time duties as a zero-technique DT. Try running behind a tag team duo of Jackson and T’Vondre Sweat for sixty minutes. He was arguably the ACC’s strongest interior DT. | QB, WR, IOL, DE, NB, PK | ||||||||
| 4 (110) New York Jets (from Cincinnati Bengals) | a href=”https://draftnastymagazine.com/2026-east-west-shrine-bowl-east-team-practice-recap-photo-gallery/”>Cade Klubnik 6’2 207 QB-Clemson< | Klubnik deserves credit for competing through a tough Pinstripe Bowl defeat to close his career. It defines the make-up of the player. Battle-tested, Klubnik’s mobility resulted in 17 rush TDs in school. He also found time to gather two ACC titles along the way. | QB, WR, IOL, DE, NB, PK | The Cincinnati Bengals traded a 2026 fourth-round pick (110th overall) to the New York Jets in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick (128th overall-Connor Lew) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (140th overall-Colbie Young) | |||||||
| 6 (188) New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks) | Anez Cooper 6’6 334 OG-Miami (Fla.) | Cooper may not be the sleekest OG, but he was a people mover in the run game. In pass pro, he attempts to control the action early in the down. The 46-game starter was very durable over the course of his career. | QB, WR, IOL, DE, NB, PK | The New York Jets traded a 2026 sixth-round pick (199th overall via Bengals-Emmanuel Henderson, Jr.) and a 2026 seventh-round pick (242nd overall-Deven Eastern) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick (188th overall-Anez Cooper) | |||||||
| 7 (228) New York Jets | VJ Payne 6’3 213 S-Kansas State | Payne disguised coverage well off the hash marks and possesses rare length for the position. From the middle of the field, he’s reacted favorably to tips and overthrows (INT, 4th QTR/13:35, Colo ’24). He needs to become more aggressive in coverage vs. TEs. | QB, WR, IOL, DE, NB, PK | ||||||||
| New England Patriots | Selection | Offensive FA signings/Trades | Defensive FA signings/Trades | Free Agent losses | Re-signed | Team Needs (Draft) or post-draft | Draft Day trades, prior trades | ||||
| 1 (28) New England Patriots (from Buffalo via Houston) | Caleb Lomu 6’6 313 OT-Utah | Lomu’s footwork shines on backside assignments. He has the footwork to mirror edge personnel. If late to unlock punch, linear DEs push him into lap of QB (QB hit allowed, 3rd QTR, ASU ’24). This doesn’t erase the fact that he has all of the tools necessary to play LT. What does it mean for 2025 fourth overall pick Will Campbell? | OL Alijah Vera-Tucker (Jets) on a three-year deal, OT James Hudson III (Giants) on a one-year deal, WR Romeo Doubs (Packers) on a four-year deal, FB Reggie Gilliam (Bills) on a three-year deal, TE Julian Hill (Dolphins) | DT Dre’Mont Jones (Ravens) on a three-year deal, S Kevin Byard III (Bears) on a one-year deal, LB K.J. Britt (Dolphins) on a one-year deal, CB Kindle Vildor (Buccaneers) on a one-year deal, S Mike Brown (Titans) on a one-year deal | DL Khyiris Tonga (Chiefs), OT Vederian Lowe (49ers), TE Austin Hooper (Falcons), OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (Commanders), S Jaylinn Hawkins (Ravens), CB Alex Austin (Dolphins) | Re-signed QB Tommy DeVito to a two-year extension | WR, OLB, S, | The New England Patriots traded a 2026 first-round pick (31st overall) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (125th overall-Skyler Bell)) to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for the 28th overall pick (OT Caleb Lomu) | |||
| 2 (55) New England Patriots (from Los Angeles Chargers) | Gabe Jacas 6’4 260 DE/OLB-Illinois | Capable of working out of a ROLB or LOLB two-point stance, Jacas uniquely forces his leverage on opponents snap-to-snap. At 260 pounds, it wears on opponents. After plowing through opponents to the tune of 34.5 career TFLs, he could have very easily gone in the first round. | The Los Angeles Chargers traded a 2026 second-round pick (55th overall-Gabe Jacas) to the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick (63rd overall-Jake Slaughter), a 2026 fourth-round pick (131st overall-Genesis Smith) and a 2026 sixth-round pick (202nd overall)-Logan Taylor) | ||||||||
| 3 (95) New England Patriots | Eli Raridon 6’6 245 TE-Notre Dame | Raridon is the rare collegian who was productive in big games but did not score a touchdown in the process. Consider how he began the season (Miami, Fla., Texas A&M) and how he ended it (2026 East-West Shrine Bowl). His flexibility, speed and hand-eye coordination all shined. He provides core special teams potential. Has he truly escaped the multiple injury concerns? | |||||||||
| 5 (171) New England Patriots | Karon Prunty 6’1 1/2” 190 CB-Wake Forest, Kansas | Prunty’s stock continued to rise with strong postseason workouts. Most of that was due to light feet and an aggressive nature breaking on the three-step passing game. Improvement is needed when opening to turn-and-run, which would prevent him from hand fighting as much as he does in down the field situations. Competitive and feisty. | |||||||||
| 6 (196) New England Patriots (from Jacksonville Jaguars via Carolina Panthers via Minnesota Vikings) | Dametrious Crownover 6’7 319 OT-Texas A&M | At 319 pounds, Crownover can get straight up-and-down as a run blocker. That will show itself in pass pro as well, where he catches the charge from DEs on occasion. With that said, he gains depth in his vertical kick-slide and punches in a simultaneous motion to widen DEs. Patience with improved technique has to be a focus to make the team. | The New England Patriots traded a 2026 sixth-round pick (191st overall-Josh Cameron) to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick (196th overall-Dametrious Crownover) and a 2026 seventh-round pick (245th overall-Jam Miller) | ||||||||
| 6 (212) New England Patriots | Namdi Obiazor 6’3 229 LB-TCU | Obiazor was just as much of a factor at TCU rushing the passer. In 2023, he was effective in that role. He aligned quite a bit in an overhang spot. From there, he was asked to filter back inside to tackle. He can bend to strike ballcarriers, but could be described as more smooth than sudden in his overall play. | |||||||||
| 7 (234) New England Patriots (from Minnesota Vikings) | Behren Morton 6’2 221 QB-Texas Tech | Morton’s litany of arm angles supply him with a sufficient bag of tricks entering the next level. Injuries did not just show up in 2025. He battled a shoulder in 2023 and those injuries followed him into the senior campaign. Without them, he could have gone slightly higher in the draft. His deep ball touch is underrated, as is his feel for the game. | The New England Patriots traded a 2026 sixth-round pick (198th overall-Demond Claiborne) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick (234th overall-Behren Morton) and a 2027 sixth-round pick | ||||||||
| 7 (245) New England Patriots (from Jacksonville Jaguars) | Jam Miller 5’10 209 RB-Alabama | Miller had one breakout game in 2025 (Vanderbilt) but most of his best game film came in 2024. A one-cut downhill runner whose best work comes when the gaps change up front. The low mileage on the tires has to help his cause, but he needs to prove he can return kicks. | The New England Patriots traded a 2026 sixth-round pick (191st overall-Josh Cameron) to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick (196th overall-Dametrious Crownover) and a 2026 seventh-round pick (245th overall-Jam Miller) | ||||||||
| 7 (247) New England Patriots | Quintayvious Hutchins 6’3 233 DE-Boston College | Hutchins got the call after showing throughout his career an instant get-off. There have been times when he’s overmatched versus size. Hutchins offsets that by forcing OTs to cross their feet due to his upfield push (3rd Down, 1st QTR, vs Chamblee, SMU ’25). Why didn’t it translate in the stat column? | |||||||||
| Miami Dolphins | Selection | Offensive FA signings/Trades | Defensive FA signings/Trades | Free Agent losses | Re-signed | Team Needs (Draft) or post-draft | Draft Day trades, prior trades | ||||
| 1 (12) Miami Dolphins (from Dallas Cowboys) | Kadyn Proctor 6’7 352 OT-Alabama | Proctor helps to balance an OL which has gotten at least solid play from young LT Patrick Paul. More importantly, the depth of the team’s OL improves dramatically. Jamaree Salyer’s experience at multiple spots helps the unit. Proctor may move inside to guard, which would only improve a blossoming running game (4.7 YPC in 2025). Proctor’s ability to play multiple spots could enhance the unit’s depth. | QB Malik Willis (Packers) on a three-year deal, WR Jalen Tolbert (Cowboys) on a one-year deal, WR Tutu Atwell (Rams) on a one-year deal, OT Charlie Heck (Buccaneers) on a one-year deal, OG Jamaree Salyer (Chargers) on a one-year deal, PK Zane Gonzalez (Falcons) on a one-year deal TRADED WR Jaylen Waddle and a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick (30th overall), 2026 third-round pick (94th overall) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (130th overall) | DE Josh Uche (Eagles) on a one-year deal, DE David Ojabo (Ravens), DE Robert Beal, Jr. (49ers) on a one-year deal, LB Ronnie Harrison (Falcons) on a one-year deal, S Lonnie Johnson (Raiders) on a one-year deal, S Zayne Anderson (Packers) on a one-year deal, CB Marco Wilson (Bengals) on a one-year deal, CB Darrell Baker (Titans) on a one-year deal, CB Alex Austin (Patriots) on a one-year deal, P Bradley Pinion (Falcons) on a one-year deal, LS Tucker Addington (Steelers) on a one-year deal, LS Taybor Pepper on a one-year deal__________________TRADED S Minkah Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick (238th overall) | OT Larry Borom (Lions), OG Cole Strange (Chargers), TE Julian Hill (Dolphins), QB Zach Wilson (Saints), LB K.J. Britt (Patriots), CB Kadar Kohou (Chiefs), P Jake Bailey (Jets), LS Joe Cardona (Rams), CB Jack Jones (49ers) | TE Greg Dulcich on a one-year deal, CB A.J. Green on a one-year deal, DT Matthew Butler on a one-year deal, LB Willie Gay, Jr. on a one-year deal, PK Riley Patterson on a one-year deal | WR, IOL, CB, S | Miami traded the 11th overall pick (S-Caleb Downs) to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for the 12th overall pick (OT Kadyn Proctor), a 2026 fifth-round pick (177th overall-Kevin Coleman, Jr.), 2026 fifth-round pick (180th overall-Seydou Traore) | |||
| 1 (27) Miami Dolphins (from SF 49ers) | Chris Johnson 6’0 193 CB-San Diego State | The team lost Jack Jones late in free agency and he was one of their more productive DBs. Johnson’s size and playmaking skill caused his stock to rise during the pre-draft process. He has to improve getting his hands on WRs consistently (see Freeman, Fresno ’25), but he mirrors to stay on top consistently. He transitions effectively at 45-degree angles. | WR, IOL, CB, S | The Dolphins traded a 2026 first-round pick (30th overall) and a 2026 third-round pick (90th overall) to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the 27th overall pick (CB Chris Johnson) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (138th overall-Kyle Louis) | |||||||
| 2 (43) Miami Dolphins | Jacob Rodriguez 6’1 231 LB-Texas Tech, Virginia | Rodriguez’s productivity dates back to 2023, when he was named the Defensive MVP of the Independence Bowl. Defensive MVP of the Independence Bowl. In that game, he posted a 4th QTR INT of Fernando Mendoza. Those plays became the norm for Rodriguez, who was one of the draft’s best at taking the ball. | WR, IOL, CB, S | ||||||||
| 3 (75) Miami Dolphins | Caleb Douglas 6’3 1/2” 206 WR-Texas Tech | Douglas’ smooth stride eats the cushion of CBs who underestimate the long gear. He finds ways to clear press-man coverage with stop-and-start quickness. Agility along the sidelines has been evident when tracking balls downfield (1st QTR/0:49, BYU ’25). | WR, IOL, CB, S | ||||||||
| 3 (87) Miami Dolphins | Will Kacmarek 6’5 1/2” 261 TE-Ohio State | Kacmarek has more than enough size to factor in as a possession target. He has been used in a variety of ways as a blocker, where core strength has been an occasional issue in the second phase of the down. However, he seems more adept at finding his landmarks as on the move blocker. More deceptive as a route-runner than given credit for. | WR, IOL, CB, S | ||||||||
| 3 (94) Miami Dolphins (from Denver) | Chris Bell 6’2 222 WR-Louisville | In somewhat of a surprise, Bell was actually the third receiver taken by the Dolphins. Give them credit for getting him as part of the Jaylen Waddle trade. He flashed legitimate run after the catch long speed and was a factor on quick slants or posts. He was able to change the angles of DBs vs. zone coverage. Bell’s skill-set was used extensively on deep crossers that attacked the field horizontally. When will he be ready to go with the ACL injury? | WR, IOL, CB, S | The Denver Broncos traded a 2026 first-round pick (30th overall), 2026 third-round pick (94th overall) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (130th overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for WR Jaylen Waddle and a 2026 fourth-round pick (111th overall) | |||||||
| 4 (130) Miami Dolphins (from Denver) | Trey Moore 6’2 243 DE-OLB Texas, UTSA | Sure, he may have never reached the productivity of UTSA (14 sacks in ’23), but he was very productive at Texas in 2024. His 4.5 speed showed up on game day. Moore provides the Dolphins with depth options after signing Uche, Ojabo and Beal, Jr. | WR, IOL, CB, S | The Denver Broncos traded a 2026 first-round pick (30th overall), 2026 third-round pick (94th overall) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (130th overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for WR Jaylen Waddle and a 2026 fourth-round pick (111th overall) | |||||||
| 4 (138) Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco 49ers) | Kyle Louis 6’0 220 LB-Pittsburgh | Louis teamed with Rodriguez at the 2026 Senior Bowl and it seemed like they had been playing for years together. Both rely on instincts and read the triangle. Louis has DB-like coverage skill. The team’s depth at LB rivals its depth at the defensive end spot. He’ll be an immediate upgrade on special teams. | WR, IOL, CB, S | The Dolphins traded a 2026 first-round pick (30th overall) and a 2026 third-round pick (90th overall) to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the 27th overall pick (CB Chris Johnson) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (138th overall) | |||||||
| 5 (158) Miami Dolphins (from Carolina Panthers) | Michael Taaffe 6’0 190 S-Texas | Taaffe could be put into the category of either Louis or Rodriguez when it comes to a sixth sense. And he throws around his 190-pound frame. He will have to make an impact on fourth down and, if so, it could enable him to contribute in Dime or Nickel situations. | WR, IOL, CB, S | The Carolina Panthers traded a 2026 fifth-round pick (158th overall) and a 2026 sixth-round pick (200th overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick (151st overall) and a 2026 seventh-round pick (227th overall) | |||||||
| 5 (177) Miami Dolphins (from Dallas Cowboys) | Kevin Coleman, Jr. 5’10 179 WR-Missouri, Louisville, Jackson State | Coleman, Jr. moved around as actively from school-to-school as he did returning punts at most of them. It is highly unlikely Coleman could unseat Malik Washington for either returner role, but he could provide a breather. His efficiency and quick-twitched nature at WR should not be underestimated. | WR, IOL, CB, S | Miami traded the 11th overall pick (S-Caleb Downs) to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for the 12th overall pick (OT Kadyn Proctor), a 2026 fifth-round pick (177th overall), 2026 fifth-round pick (180th overall) | |||||||
| 5 (180) Miami Dolphins (from Dallas Cowboys) | Seydou Traore 6’3 233 TE-Mississippi State, Arkansas State | Traore began his career at Arkansas State as a primary target before settling into a secondary role in the SEC. He’s capable of stretching the seams, possesses soft hands and provided more Red Zone upside in 2025. | WR, IOL, CB, S | Miami traded the 11th overall pick (S-Caleb Downs) to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for the 12th overall pick (OT Kadyn Proctor), a 2026 fifth-round pick (177th overall), 2026 fifth-round pick (180th overall) | |||||||
| 6 (200) Miami Dolphins (from Carolina Panthers) | DJ Campbell 6’3 313 OG-Texas | For a 6-foot-3-inch OG, Campbell has OT-like features. He also is an experienced starter with an ability to execute on the move. Patience against initial movement needs to refine in pass pro, but he recovers adequately. He also is satisfactory versus line games and stunts. | WR, IOL, CB, S | The Carolina Panthers traded a 2026 fifth-round pick (158th overall) and a 2026 sixth-round pick (200th overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick (151st overall) and a 2026 seventh-round pick (227th overall) | |||||||
| 7 (238) Miami Dolphins | Max Llewellyn 6’6 258 DE-Iowa | Llewellyn produces force with his hands and he wants to stop the run. If his pass rush is stopped, the former Hawkeye has awareness to cloud passing lanes (10 PBUs in career). He may be a long shot to make the team, but don’t bet against his violence. | WR, IOL, CB, S | ||||||||
| Buffalo Bills | Selection | Offensive FA signings/Trades | Defensive FA signings/Trades | Free Agent losses | Re-signed | Team Needs (Draft) or post-draft | Draft Day trades, prior trades | Draft Day trades, prior trades | Draft Day trades, prior trades | ||
| 2 (35) Buffalo Bills (from Tennessee Titans) | T.J. Parker DE-Clemson | Parker comes into the NFL with a penchant for power football. There’s not a lot of finesse in his game. That may or may not offset similar rushers in Rousseau and Chubb. However, it will keep -along with Michael Hoecht- the quartet fresh into the fourth quarter. This was likely the impetus behind the selection of Parker, who finished his career with 21.5 sacks, 41.5 TFLs and six forced fumbles. | QB Kyle Allen (Lions) on a two-year deal, WR Trent Sherfield (Patriots) on a one-year deal, OC Lloyd Cushenberry (Titans) on a one-year deal, OL Austin Corbett (Panthers) on a one-year deal…Traded a 2026 second-round pick to acquire WR DJ Moore | DE Bradley Chubb (Dolphins) on a three-year deal, S Geno Stone (Bengals) on a one-year deal, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (Bears) on a one-year deal, CB Dee Alford (Falcons) on a three-year deal | FB Reggie Gilliam (Patriots), OG David Edwards (Saints), QB Mitch Trubisky (Titans), CB Cam Lewis (Bears), S Darnell Savage (Steelers) | Re-signed OC Connor McGovern to a four-year deal, S Sam Franklin to a three-year deal, S Damar Hamlin on a one-year deal, OT Alec Anderson to a one-year deal, P Mitch Wishnosky on a one-year deal | Swing OL, Third DE, LB, WR | Buffalo traded a 2026 first-round pick (31st overall-(DE Keldric Faulk), a 2026 third-round pick (69th overall) and 2026 fifth-round pick (165th overall) to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick (35th overall), 2026 third-round pick (66th overall) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (101st overall) | Buffalo Bills traded the 26th overall pick (OG Keylan Rutledge), 2026 third-round pick (91st overall) to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick (28th overall), a 2026 third-round pick (69th overall) and a 2026 fifth-round pick (167th overall) | The New England Patriots traded a 2026 first-round pick (31st overall) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (125th overall to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for the 28th overall pick (OT Caleb Lomu) | |
| 2 (62) Buffalo Bills (from Denver Broncos) | Davison Igbinosun CB-Ohio State, Ole Miss | Igbinosun improved each year in school. He was solid in run support, generally prevented big plays and competed with passion. It remains to be seen whether or not his natural tendency to grab in the move area can be eliminated with pro coaching. | The Denver Broncos traded a 2026 second-round (62nd overall-Davison Igbinosun) to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick (66th overall) and a 2026 sixth-round pick (182nd overall) | ||||||||
| 4 (102) Buffalo Bills (from Las Vegas Raiders) | Jude Bowry 6’5 314 OT-Boston College | Bowry is an efficient lateral kick-slider who sinks his low back in the ground to anchor. He sets a short corner and allows DEs to get into his chest plates (Missouri ’25). Over-setting has offered inside access. The big question is whether he can give the team reps inside. | The Buffalo Bills traded a 2026 fourth-round pick (101st overall) to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick (102nd overall) and a 2027 seventh-round pick | ||||||||
| 4 (125) Buffalo Bills (from New England Patriots) | Skyler Bell 6’0 192 WR-UConn, Wisconsin | Bell was by no means an unproductive WR at Wisconsin, but the offense centered around him at UConn. He proved more than capable of handling the No. 1 role, as the team won 18 games with him as its primary target. He even plays bigger than his size, which should help in the cold weather of Orchard Park. | REMINDER: The New England Patriots traded a 2026 first-round pick (31st overall) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (125th overall to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for the 28th overall pick (OT Caleb Lomu) | ||||||||
| 4 (126) Buffalo Bills | Kaleb Elarms-Orr 6’2 234 LB-TCU, Cal | Elarms-Orr led the Big 12 in tackles (130) in his second year on campus after transferring from Cal. He plays slightly bent over but he demonstrates excellent on-field range. He’s capable of disguising in the A-or-B-gaps and still reaching curl-hook zones. He is huge for the team’s lack of depth at ILB. | |||||||||
| 5 (167) Buffalo Bills (from Houston Texans) | Jalon Kilgore 6’1 210 DB-South Carolina | Kilgore spent a large amount of his time at South Carolina covering the slot in DC Clayton White’s defense. That won’t be his role in the NFL and he needs to adjust his pace when covering TEs. He has outstanding ball skills, but has yet to prove capable of handling off the hash responsibilities. He may be a factor as a big nickel or dime in Year 1. | Buffalo Bills traded the 26th overall pick (OG Keylan Rutledge), 2026 third-round pick (91st overall-Trey Zuhn III-Raiders) to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick (28th overall-Caleb Lomu, Patriots), a 2026 third-round pick (69th overall-Sam Roush, Chicago) and a 2026 fifth-round pick (167th overall, Jalon Kilgore) | ||||||||
| 5 (181) Buffalo Bills (from Detroit Lions) | Zane Durant 6’1 290 DT-Senior Penn State | Durant ranked as one of the better leverage DTs in the 2026 NFL Draft. That leverage comes with LB-type explosiveness at 290 lbs. He set a career-high in sacks (4) in 2025, but was slightly more disruptive as a junior. Durant serves as an Ed Oliver-clone and may provide a similar element if Oliver goes down to injury again. | The Detroit Lions traded a 2026 fifth-round pick (181st overall-Zane Durant) and a 2026 sixth-round pick (213th overall-Jordan van den Berg) to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick (168th overall-Kendrick Law, Detroit) | ||||||||
| 7 (220) Buffalo Bills | Toriano Pride, Jr. 5’10 185 CB-Missouri, Clemson | Pride, Jr. came out of high school a highly-touted recruit and was beginning to live up to some of it at Clemson before deciding to go back home. He played well for the Tigers, but had errors at critical moments in coverage on the outside lanes. Interestingly, he saw some time at nickel in 2024. Could there be possibilities at the spot? | |||||||||
| 7 (239) Buffalo Bills (from Chicago Bears) | Tommy Doman, Jr. 6’4 214 P-Florida, Michigan | The fact that Doman, Jr. has experience kicking in the cold is a benefit. Sure, he’s put down unreal kicks with 60-plus yards of distance (1.28 cnk, 4.91 hang, 63 yard distance, 4th QTR, East-West Shrine ’26). That punt was indoors. But the directional coffin corner kicks (1.1 cnk,, 4.25 hang, 49-yd punt, downed at -2-yd L, 2nd QTR, Ohio State ’23) in colder temperatures that impress more. | The Chicago Bears traded a 2026 seventh-round pick (239h overall)-Tommy Doman) and a 2026 seventh-round pick (241st overall-Ar’maj Reed Adams) to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick (213th overall-Jordan van den Berg) | ||||||||
| 7 (241) Buffalo Bills (from Chicago Bears) | Ar’maj Reed-Adams 6’5 1/2” 317 OG-Texas A&M | It takes Reed-Adams -a former high school OT- a little bit of time to unwind. His finish is more than adequate, particularly once latched. But he’s always tended to block on his toes. He plays with much more suddenness than he did a couple of years back, but can sometimes still react a step slow in pass pro. Can he play OT? | The Chicago Bears traded a 2026 seventh-round pick (239h overall)-Tommy Doman) and a 2026 seventh-round pick (241st overall-Ar’maj Reed Adams) to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick (213th overall-Jordan van den Berg) | ||||||||
Working the last three rounds
And the other first-round trade down with the Texans? It was the gift that kept on giving. One of the picks they received in return was a 2026 fifth-rounder (167th overall). They probably didn’t start the weekend thinking they could snag South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore at that slot.
Later, they traded down 13 spots with the Detroit Lions in the same round and took Penn State DT Zane Durant 181st overall. They picked up a sixth-rounder (213th overall) in the trade down.
And what did they do with that pick?
They used it to acquire two seventh-rounders (Pick 239, Pick 241) from the Chicago Bears. It sets up a training camp competition between the 239th overall pick (Tommy Doman, Jr.) and Mitch Wishowsky. The team’s final pick (241st overall) may not be a slam dunk to make the roster but he also increases the competition along its offensive front.
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