‘Many mock drafts have six or seven edge rushers going in the first round, and there’s depth after that. After showcasing sacks at the collegiate level, those players will now make the jump to the NFL, where pass rushing is a premium.’
Archives for April 17, 2026
Breaking down the Bills defense and how it shapes their draft needs
‘Hey, no pressure Jim Leonhard. You’re stepping into a team that has made the playoffs eight of the last nine years, armed with a superb offense, and it’s your job to make sure the defense doesn’t tank the effort.’
This Buffalo Bills draft target just declared himself the best receiver in the entire 2026 class
‘Concepcion, of course, has ties to Buffalo. The wide receiver briefly lived in Rochester, New York and his father was a Bills fan. Potentially getting to suit up for his father’s favorite team and return to Rochester for training camp would be fun storylines to cover, but landing Concepcion is more about the player himself.’
5 positions the Buffalo Bills absolutely must address in next week’s draft
‘The only position group that hasn’t been addressed yet this offseason is at linebacker. Will Beane make a swing or two in the draft next week to add more players at linebacker? Let’s examine the top five roster needs and where the Bills may be able to find answers.’
NFL Draft 2026: Why LB in 1st round makes sense for Jim Leonhard’s Bills Defense
‘Think about what that means in Jim Leonhard’s defense. Rodriguez doesn’t just see plays developing—he sees them from a quarterback’s perspective. He knows route concepts. He understands protections. He can diagnose and communicate at an elite level because he’s already done the hardest job on the field.’
Bills could catch lightning in a bottle with late-round receivers with natural track speed
‘A tough runner after the catch who can turn a short throw upfield quickly, Sturdivant is considered a fifth- or sixth-round pick because his route-running remains unpolished. He has the footwork to run the full route tree, but whether it’s attention to detail or feel for the game, it’s an area Sturdivant needs to improve.’
Draft In Pittsburgh Will Have Local Connection
‘More than three decades have passed since Conlan’s retirement, but he remains connected to the franchise that selected him. So much so, in fact, that he will announce the Bills’ selections in Rounds 2 and 3 in next week’s draft, which will be held at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. “It’s obviously an honor,” said Conlan, who now resides in suburban Sewickley. “They kind of knew I live (near) Pittsburgh, so I think that made it convenient for the NFL.”’
New coach in Buffalo, same high expectations with Bills expected to focus on defense in NFL draft
‘The challenge for Beane is retooling the Bills on the fly to fit the aggressive approach Brady took on offense to a defense that has too often wilted in the postseason. And with little room to maneuver under the salary cap, the emphasis is on adding talent in the draft.’