The Joe Brady era in Buffalo is officially underway, and while the ink is barely dry on his head coaching contract, the Bills are already shaping their identity for 2026. With the Super Bowl wrapping up the 2025 season, the focus now shifts to the NFL Draft-and with it, the direction this new Brady-Beane partnership will take in its first major personnel decisions.
At first glance, wide receiver seems like the obvious need. Bills fans have been clamoring for more firepower around Josh Allen, and after a season where the offense leaned heavily on a dominant ground game and a solid-if-unspectacular passing attack, it’s understandable. But if you’re expecting Buffalo to use their No. 26 overall pick on a pass catcher, you might want to pump the brakes.
The Brady-Beane Blueprint: Defense First
When general manager Brandon Beane introduced Brady as the new head coach, he made one thing clear: alignment is the name of the game. That doesn’t mean Brady and Beane agree on everything-it means they’re committed to a shared vision, even if that means making tough calls. And that vision, at least right now, appears to be focused on rebuilding the defense.
Buffalo’s defense is facing a serious transition. Nine defensive contributors are headed to free agency, and Jordan Poyer is likely calling it a career.
That’s a lot of veteran leadership and production potentially walking out the door. Many of those players-like Matt Milano, Shaq Thompson, and Tre’Davious White-were built for Sean McDermott’s 4-3 scheme.
But with new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard bringing in a 3-4 base, the Bills are shifting gears in a big way.
Now, it’s worth noting that the 4-3 vs. 3-4 distinction isn’t as rigid as it once was. Most defenses live in nickel packages these days.
But the philosophical shift is still significant-especially when it comes to edge rushers. And that’s where the Bills’ draft strategy starts to crystallize.
Edge Rusher Is the Priority-and the Draft Class Fits the Bill
Buffalo has two major edge rushers from last season-Joey Bosa and A.J. Epenesa-set to hit free agency.
Bosa is expected to walk, and while Epenesa has some scheme versatility, he’s never played in a 3-4 at the NFL level. If both are gone, the Bills suddenly find themselves without a proven edge presence in a system that demands it.
That’s why the No. 26 pick might be earmarked for a pass rusher, not a wideout. The 2026 draft class is deep at edge, making it a smart spot to find a long-term solution.
According to PFF’s Trevor Sikkema, there are 10 edge defenders ranked among the top 50 prospects. That’s the kind of depth that allows a team like Buffalo to sit tight and still land a difference-maker.
Names to keep an eye on? Texas Tech’s Romello Height, Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell, and Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas all fit the mold of high-upside edge rushers who could thrive in Leonhard’s aggressive system. These aren’t just plug-and-play guys-they’re potential cornerstones for a defense that’s being rebuilt from the ground up.
Offense Isn’t Being Ignored-Just Approached Differently
That doesn’t mean the Bills are ignoring the wide receiver position. Far from it.
But the front office seems to be playing the long game. Rather than banking on a rookie receiver to make an immediate impact, Buffalo may look to free agency or the trade market for a more polished option.
A proven No. 1 receiver would do more for Josh Allen in 2026 than a developmental first-rounder, and the front office knows it.
Besides, Brady and Allen have already shown they can move the ball without elite receiver play. The Bills finished in the top half of the league in passing and leaned on one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks. That’s a formula that can be replicated-especially if the defense takes a step forward.
A New Defensive Mentality
For years, Buffalo’s defense under McDermott was solid but rarely spectacular when it came to generating pressure. Brady’s vision, paired with Leonhard’s scheme, flips that script.
This new regime wants to get after quarterbacks, disrupt timing, and force offensive coordinators to adjust. That starts up front-with explosive, scheme-fit edge rushers who can win one-on-one battles and collapse the pocket.
So while the fanbase might be dreaming of a shiny new target for Allen, the smart money says the Bills are looking at the other side of the ball come April. Rebuilding a defense doesn’t happen overnight, but investing in a premier edge rusher is a strong first step-and one that aligns perfectly with the Brady-Beane blueprint.