Buffalo Bills 2026 NFL Draft Outlook: Where They Pick and What’s at Stake
It’s that time of year again-NFL Draft season is officially on the horizon, and for the Buffalo Bills, the focus is shifting from the playoff grind to roster building. With the 2026 NFL Draft set to take place from April 23 to 25 in Pittsburgh, the countdown is on for Brandon Beane and the front office to make their next round of franchise-shaping decisions.
The three-day event sticks with the familiar format: Round 1 on Thursday night, Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, and Rounds 4 through 7 wrapping things up on Saturday. For Bills fans, that means three days of draft boards, trade alerts, and plenty of speculation about what direction the team will go under new head coach Joe Brady.
Where the Bills Stand in Round 1
Coming off a 12-5 season and a Divisional Round appearance, Buffalo finds itself picking at No. 26 overall in the first round. That late-first-round spot is a familiar neighborhood for the Bills in recent years-high enough to grab a potential impact player, but far enough down the board that patience becomes a virtue.
At pick 26, the Bills are in a classic draft crossroads. They could hold tight and see who falls into their lap, especially if there's a run on a particular position group.
But if there’s a player they’re high on slipping into the early 20s, don’t rule out a move up the board. Beane has shown a willingness to be aggressive when the right guy is within reach.
On the flip side, if the board doesn’t break their way, trading down to stockpile picks for Day 2 is another route they’ve taken before-and one that could pay off again in what’s expected to be a deep draft class.
Buffalo’s Full 2026 Draft Capital
As it stands, the Bills have seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here’s the current breakdown of their selections:
- Round 1: Pick 26
- Round 2: Pick 28
- Round 3: Pick 27
- Round 4: Pick 26
- Round 5: Pick 28
- Round 7 (via Jets): Pick 4
- Round 7 (via Cowboys): Pick 12
Notably, Buffalo doesn’t hold a sixth-round pick this year, and while compensatory picks haven’t been finalized, it’s unlikely they’ll be awarded one in 2026.
That said, seven picks-spread across all three days-give the Bills a solid amount of draft capital to work with. And those two extra seventh-rounders? They may not grab headlines, but late-round picks have value, especially for a team looking to add depth and develop talent on rookie contracts.
What’s Next?
With the draft still a few months out, there’s plenty of time for the board to shift and for the Bills to maneuver. Free agency will play a big role in shaping their needs, and with Joe Brady now steering the ship, the team’s draft strategy could take on a slightly different flavor.
Still, the core approach likely remains the same: find high-character, high-upside players who can contribute early and grow into long-term pieces. Whether that means targeting a playmaker on offense, bolstering the trenches, or adding depth to the secondary, Buffalo has options-and the draft capital to make things happen.
So mark your calendars: April 23-25. Pittsburgh. The next chapter of the Bills’ roster build is about to unfold.