After another season that ended with a heartbreaking playoff loss, the Buffalo Bills enter 2026 under heavy pressure to finally reach their first Super Bowl with QB Josh Allen. Will this be their year, or will another year of Allen’s prime be wasted? Complicating matters is the rise of the New England Patriots, who catapulted past Buffalo in the standings before losing to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. The AFC East is no longer a cakewalk for the Bills, who will need a strong rookie class to reclaim their throne. Was this accomplished? Here are my Buffalo Bills 2026 NFL Draft grades:
Buffalo Bills 2026 NFL Draft Grades
Round 2, Pick 35: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
After three separate trades saw Buffalo drop out of the first round entirely, the Bills made T.J. Parker their first selection. Parker, once thought to be a surefire first-round selection, had his stock drop after a disappointing 2025 campaign at Clemson. A strong showing at the Senior Bowl and the combine resurrected some buzz surrounding Parker, and he represents solid value at this pick.
The Bills did not retain Joey Bosa in free agency. Although they added Bradley Chubb as a replacement for Bosa, the Bills still needed more help with their pass rush. Parker brings youth and upside to Buffalo’s group of edge rushers, and can develop behind Chubb, who is not the player he used to be, and Greg Rousseau. The Clemson product should still see the field often as a rookie. If Parker can return to his 2024 form, Buffalo will have a steal.
Buffalo Bills Draft Pick Grade: B+
Round 2, Pick 62: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
Buffalo keeps its focus on defense, trading up four spots for Davison Igbinosun. After finishing his career with the Buckeyes, Igbinosun should slot in behind incumbent starters Christian Benford and Maxwell Hairston, last year’s first-round pick, on the depth chart.
Igbinosun, at 6’2, has good size for a cornerback, but may wind up a safety in the NFL. If he can improve his penalty issues (led FBS with 16 in 2024), Davison Igbinosun can become a good player. Still, Buffalo made a significant reach here, especially trading up. Pick 62 seems to be at least a round too high for Igbinosun.
Buffalo Bills Draft Pick Grade: C
Davison Igninosun NFL Draft Profile
Round 4, Pick 102: Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College
Buffalo makes another trade down, dropping one spot and picking up a seventh-round pick next year. The Bills then select OT Jude Bowry, who could switch inside to guard in the NFL. Bowry has impressive and decent size for a tackle. His main issue is needing to improve his hand technique.
However, players like Bowry are exactly what teams should be looking for on day three. Players with impressive physical traits, like Bowry, are well worth pick 102. Bowry could become a starting guard if developed correctly. Should Buffalo keep Bowry outside, he likely will become a solid swing tackle.
Buffalo Bills Draft Pick Grade: B
Round 4, Pick 125: Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
Buffalo gets a new weapon for Josh Allen. Skyler Bell, a consensus All-American for UConn in 2025, has the ability to play outside or in the slot. Bell is a monster after the catch and consistently comes down with contested catches.
Getting Bell at pick 125 is excellent value for Buffalo. With new WR DJ Moore, who was dealt to the Bills in March, and now Bell, Josh Allen has no more excuses. The former MVP has been given everything he needs to win the AFC.
Buffalo Bills Draft Pick Grade: A-
Round 4, Pick 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU
With their second of back-to-back picks, the Bills select Elarms-Orr. The highly productive linebacker can do a bit of everything, and his skill set should transition nicely to the NFL. Elarms-Orr’s best attribute is his closing speed, and he has the range to play sideline-to-sideline.
Elarms-Orr also has shown the ability to cover tight ends. He will have to improve his habits of overpursuing, and he sometimes takes poor angles. However, those deficiencies can be coached up. Kaleb Elarms-Orr has a chance to be a really good player for the Bills.
Buffalo Bills Draft Pick Grade: B+
Kaleb Elarms-Orr NFL Draft Profile
Round 5, Pick 167: Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
The Bills continue to add talent to their defense. In Kilgore, Buffalo is getting a supremely athletic safety who is much better suited to play man coverage than zone. Kilgore has the speed to keep up with NFL receivers, though he needs to improve his angles and tackling technique.
Kilgore comes with a lot of potential. If Buffalo can develop him properly, Kilgore will be a fixture in the Bills’ defense for a long time. Kilgore possesses enticing physical traits, making a high-upside pick for Buffalo who could wind up being a difference-maker.
Buffalo Bills Draft Pick Grade: A-
Jalon Kilgore NFL Draft Profile
Round 5, Pick 181: Zane Durant, DT, Penn State
Zane Durant is an undersized DT at 6’1 and 290 pounds, and he could have difficulty winning matchups against big, strong offensive linemen in the NFL. However, Durant ran the fastest time among DTs at the combine, with a 4.75 forty. Durant is at his best when he can shoot gaps on slants instead of charging straight into blockers. Built like Bills’ DT Ed Oliver, Durant could compete for a depth position on Buffalo’s defense.
Although Durant is very athletic for the position, he doesn’t seem to fill Buffalo’s need for a big, run-stuffing DT. While I understand the athletic appeal of Durant, there were far better fits for Buffalo still on the board.
Buffalo Bills Draft Pick Grade: D
Round 7, Pick 220: Toriano Pride Jr., CB, Missouri
Toriano Pride Jr. bested every other cornerback with a blazing 4.32 forty-yard dash. Unfortunately, Pride has to rely on his speed, as the rest of his game needs improvement to stick in the NFL. Pride’s instincts are average, and he sometimes struggles with route anticipation.
However, Pride’s speed will serve him well in Buffalo. With a pick-six in each of his two seasons at Missouri, Pride can make big plays. Buffalo is drafting Price for his speed and hoping he can develop his all-around game. Teams often draft physical traits in round seven, and Pride will have a chance to compete for a backup role.
Buffalo Bills Draft Pick Grade: B-
Round 7, Pick 239: Tommy Doman, P, Florida
Most fans will find it hard to get excited when their team drafts a punter, but this is a logical pick for Buffalo. While it might not be a thrilling selection, getting an immediate starter at pick 239 is a win for any team, no matter the position. Tommy Doman will enter training camp as the clear favorite to win the job. Still, it’s a punter.
Buffalo Bills Draft Pick Grade: B-
Round 7, Pick 241: Ar’maj Reed-Adams, G, Texas A&M
The Bills use their final pick on 6’6, 314-pound guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams. Reed-Adams has to clean up many aspects of his game, like his pad level being too high and a tendency to play out of control. Lacking ideal power and length, Reed-Adams probably will never develop into a starter. However, he is talented enough to be a quality backup. Solid offensive line depth is hard to find, and that’s exactly what Reed-Adams will be.
Buffalo Bills Draft Pick Grade: B
Ar’maj Reed-Adams NFL Draft Profile
Buffalo Bills Draft Summary
Not many teams were as active as the Buffalo Bills, who made several deals during the draft, including three separate trade-downs before making their first selection. Even without a first-round pick, Buffalo drafted several players who can contribute right away. T.J. Parker is a first-round talent who fell to the second. Skyler Bell and Kaleb Elams-Orr were both outstanding picks in the fourth round.
While I think Davison Igbinosun was a reach at pick 62, I really like him as a player. Zane Durant was a perplexing pick, and Toriano Pride Jr. may start his career on the practice squad.
Altogether, the Buffalo Bills had a successful draft. They were able to add players who can make an immediate impact and others who can develop into solid players down the road. Bills Mafia should be pleased.
