Examining the three main choices that the Buffalo Bills will presumably face on Draft Night in Pittsburgh.
"In this case, we get to pick 26, is this something we're fired up to take the player? Or is this something we would prefer, there'll be a player there that we like that can help us, but is it something we prefer to trade back and get that player in Round 2 while adding some additional compensation?" saidNext, Buffalo flipped the Chiefs' first-round pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the first selection in Round 2 and a 59-spot move up the board on Day 3 .
With the No. 33 overall selection, the Bills drafted Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman. Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman after getting tripped up stumbles towards the end zone and gets the ball into the end zone before hitting the ground for a touchdown during second-half action at Empower FIeld at Mile High in Denver on Jan. 17, 2026. | Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images With the Bills unlikely to have 26 prospects holding true first-round grades in this year's draft class, a trade down would make sense if the value isn't available when their spot in the order arrives. In theory, Buffalo's move down the board wouldn't preclude it from drafting a prospect that it could've reached for at No. 26 overall.where Buffalo trades down two spots to No. 28 overall and still winds up with an edge rusher in the form of Central Florida's Malachi Lawrence.Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk or a similar caliber prospect is available at a position of need, then it makes sense for the Bills to use the No. 26 overall selection to fill a hole. There's a decent likelihood, however, that there are no first-round graded players remaining for Buffalo at 26th in the order. "You probably don't get as many consensus names anywhere near getting to 26," said Beane. "I think there's players that feel like they're going in 1, but their agent, or someone close to them, also realizes they could go anywhere from 20 to 40. There's always players like that. I would say there's probably maybe more in that category this year.” There's always the possibility that a wide receiver winds up being the best player available to Buffalo late in Round 1. Despite having already used their second-round pick to trade for wide receiver DJ Moore,Assuming the Bills view the available prospects as first-round caliber, then why not double dip and turn wide receiver into a position of strength? Nov 8, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Missouri Tigers | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn ImagesConsidering Bills' brass doesn't seem blown away by the value offered in Round 1 this year, giving up their first-round pick in exchange for more selections may actually be their preferred way forward. "It's not as deep at the top, but I do think there are depths, and there are areas in this draft where you can find players to help your team," said Beane. "It's on us to figure out what the value of those guys are and where to get as many players as you can in the right value for your team. You're trying to just help your team this weekend." Ideally, the Bills can recoup a Round 2 pick and add a valuable third-rounder if they're able to find a taker for the No. 26 overall selection. Of course, finding a trade partner may be the biggest obstacle. "We'll see what's there. As always, it's no different, even if I had three 2s, if someone's offered me something that makes sense to go back, we'd do that," said Beane. Sep 15, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman pose for a photo with Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane before the game between their game at MetLife Stadium. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesThe Bills have made both big and small moves up the board in Round 1 during Beane's tenure, but there doesn't appear to be any good reason to take that route this year.First, the Bills don't have a major need like they did when they jumped up to No. 7 overall for quarterback Josh Allen in 2018. One can also argue that there isn't even a need worth moving up two spots for like they did for tight end Dalton Kincaid in 2023. Buffalo's most-pressing need is arguably at linebacker, and it's rare for teams to use first-round draft capital on that position. It's worth noting the Bills landed linebackers Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams in the later stage of the third round. In 2025, Buffalo selected defensive tackle Deone Walker in Round 4 and tight end Jackson Hawes in Round 5. With both rookies having quickly emerged as solid contributors, Beane may be inspired to load up on the mid-round selections as opposed to using them to trade up for a single player, who may, or may not, be Apr 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Josh Allen is selected as the number seven overall pick to the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft | Matthew Emmons-Imagn ImagesRalph, a former college football conference administrator, brings 20+ years of media experience to Buffalo Bills ON SI. Prior to focusing on the Bills, he spent two years covering the New York Jets. Ventre initially joined the ON SI family in 2021, providing NCAA Football Championship Subdivision for NFL Draft Bible on FanNation. Ventre remains as an official voter for the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the annual legacy awards. The Fordham University graduate is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.Trading Dexter Lawrence II Didn’t Make Sense—but the Outcome Is Brilliant for All Sides
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