What's the first position the Bills draft in 2026?

[Cash]

I fully admit this is a dumb topic.  In between reading camp reports, I was thinking about positional groups and contract years, and started wondering what positions were plausible for our top pick in next year's draft (presumably #32 overall).  My rankings are below, listed from least likely to most likely:

 

Approximately zero chance

1. FB
2. Special teams
3. QB - only reason this isn't #1 is that career-ending injuries are unfortunately possible in the real world, whereas a competent front office spending a first on a FB, K, P, LS, or even return-specialist-only is basically impossible.

 

Highly unlikely

1. OL - I know we have 2 starters who'll be free agents, but we also have a strong pipeline of young talent at all positions.  It's hard for me to imagine the Bills go OL in the 1st or 2nd next year.
2. Outside CB - Even if Hairston is unimpressive as a rookie, he'll get at least one more shot in 2026.  Add in Benford being signed, and this would be a huge overcommitment to one position.  I don't see it.
3. TE - Only remote chance would be both a full flameout from Kincaid AND a TE being by far BPA at our spot.
4. NCB - Note that I'm not counting a Big Nickel type here, just a straight-up replacement for Taron Johnson.  Only doubt is that Johnson isn't getting younger and does have some injury history.
5. DT - You can never say never on d-line, but with Ed O under contract, TJ Sanders and Deone Walker entering year 2, and the Bills not valuing 1-tech very much, DT would be a huge suprise.
6. S - I think the Bills like Rapp a lot and hope they'll like Bishop a lot by the end of the season.  Even if they go into 2026 looking for a big upgrade, I think it's more likely they use either free agency or a later round.

 

Dark horse options

1. LB - I doubt they'll want to move on from Bernard next year, but Milano might be gone and Walker might not develop enough.  Also a chance they repeat Carolina history with a Shaq Thompson-type player, who's basically a hybrid LB/Big Nickel.
2. RB - this would be predicated on all three of Cook leaving and Ray Davis not showing a ton of development and there being a dynamic option available. 

 

The likely candidates

1. DE - Always a possibility.  Bosa will probably be gone, Epenesa too.  Unless Solomon or Jackson shows some real ability this year, DE will be very much in play.
2. WR - A lot will depend on the development of Coleman and the impact of Palmer.  And really, how well the offense performs against the elite teams and in the playoffs.  If we find ourselves one injury (or zero!) away from having repeats of the regular seasons Ravens and Texans games, I think the Bills will be very serious about getting a WR who can win on the boundary.

[RoscoeParrish]

Just now, Cash said:

I fully admit this is a dumb topic.  In between reading camp reports, I was thinking about positional groups and contract years, and started wondering what positions were plausible for our top pick in next year's draft (presumably #32 overall).  My rankings are below, listed from least likely to most likely:

 

Approximately zero chance

1. FB
2. Special teams
3. QB - only reason this isn't #1 is that career-ending injuries are unfortunately possible in the real world, whereas a competent front office spending a first on a FB, K, P, LS, or even return-specialist-only is basically impossible.

 

Highly unlikely

1. OL - I know we have 2 starters who'll be free agents, but we also have a strong pipeline of young talent at all positions.  It's hard for me to imagine the Bills go OL in the 1st or 2nd next year.
2. Outside CB - Even if Hairston is unimpressive as a rookie, he'll get at least one more shot in 2026.  Add in Benford being signed, and this would be a huge overcommitment to one position.  I don't see it.
3. TE - Only remote chance would be both a full flameout from Kincaid AND a TE being by far BPA at our spot.
4. NCB - Note that I'm not counting a Big Nickel type here, just a straight-up replacement for Taron Johnson.  Only doubt is that Johnson isn't getting younger and does have some injury history.
5. DT - You can never say never on d-line, but with Ed O under contract, TJ Sanders and Deone Walker entering year 2, and the Bills not valuing 1-tech very much, DT would be a huge suprise.
6. S - I think the Bills like Rapp a lot and hope they'll like Bishop a lot by the end of the season.  Even if they go into 2026 looking for a big upgrade, I think it's more likely they use either free agency or a later round.

 

Dark horse options

1. LB - I doubt they'll want to move on from Bernard next year, but Milano might be gone and Walker might not develop enough.  Also a chance they repeat Carolina history with a Shaq Thompson-type player, who's basically a hybrid LB/Big Nickel.
2. RB - this would be predicated on all three of Cook leaving and Ray Davis not showing a ton of development and there being a dynamic option available. 

 

The likely candidates

1. DE - Always a possibility.  Bosa will probably be gone, Epenesa too.  Unless Solomon or Jackson shows some real ability this year, DE will be very much in play.
2. WR - A lot will depend on the development of Coleman and the impact of Palmer.  And really, how well the offense performs against the elite teams and in the playoffs.  If we find ourselves one injury (or zero!) away from having repeats of the regular seasons Ravens and Texans games, I think the Bills will be very serious about getting a WR who can win on the boundary.

So much depends on this year. 
 

Ed repeats 2024 and he could be a cut/trade candidate and IDL is on the menu.

 

With TE, if Kincaid falters again, and Knox is already primed for a 2026 offseason departure, that could be a massive need.

 

WR and DE is always discussed. Will need to replace Bosa in 2026 so there will be a slot open. WR depends on Coleman/Palmer/Samuel/Moore. Even if Moore pops, does he price himself out of Buffalo?

 

CB seems like a stretch, even if Hairston is Elam 2.0.

 

OT would be smart to prep for Dawkins successor if needed.

 

S would be dependent on another disaster by Bishop.

[DrDawkinstein]

Given values it should be down to DE or WR. We just loaded up on DL. Should be WR.

[GASabresIUFan]

DE.  When the Bosa experiment ends, they’ll need a top flight younger player to assume that role longterm.  

[GunnerBill]

I think Linebacker is (sadly) very much in play. 

 

But Wide Receiver stands out to me.

[DrDawkinstein]

 

If we let Cook walk just to draft a RB in the 1st (who we obviously wont pay either) then I will be about ready to call for Beane's head.

[JP51]

I resisted the temptation to go WR assuming who we have works out... I think the next position of attention is gonna be depth on OL... lots of DE and CBs drafted recently. 

[RoscoeParrish]

2 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

If we let Cook walk just to draft a RB in the 1st (who we obviously wont pay either) then I will be about ready to call for Beane's head.

If we draft him at pick 32, I will keep my pitchfork in the closet.

[NewEra]

Give me a WR or DL all day, every day. 

[The Jokeman]

2 minutes ago, RoscoeParrish said:

If we draft him at pick 32, I will keep my pitchfork in the closet.

By he are you referring to Nicholas Singleton?

[DrDawkinstein]

1 minute ago, RoscoeParrish said:

If we draft him at pick 32, I will keep my pitchfork in the closet.

 

Still a total waste.

 

If we're going to operate under the philosophy of "you dont pay RBs" then they shouldnt be drafted any earlier than the 3rd.

 

We need those 1sts and 2nds becoming long-tenured, contributing, cornerstone players. Not temporary rentals.

 

And if by picking at 32 youre implying that we just won the SB, then there is no way Cook ISNT a big part of that success, and shouldnt be allowed to walk either.

[Cash]

40 minutes ago, RoscoeParrish said:

So much depends on this year. 
 

Ed repeats 2024 and he could be a cut/trade candidate and IDL is on the menu.

 

With TE, if Kincaid falters again, and Knox is already primed for a 2026 offseason departure, that could be a massive need.

 

WR and DE is always discussed. Will need to replace Bosa in 2026 so there will be a slot open. WR depends on Coleman/Palmer/Samuel/Moore. Even if Moore pops, does he price himself out of Buffalo?

 

CB seems like a stretch, even if Hairston is Elam 2.0.

 

OT would be smart to prep for Dawkins successor if needed.

 

S would be dependent on another disaster by Bishop.

Good stuff. Only thing I’d push back on is OT. IMO you don’t draft an eventual successor in the 1st. If you draft an OL in the first, you should expect him to win a starting job that year. 

[MJS]

Defensive end. Bosa will be gone. The WR crowd will then throw a fit.

Edited 7 hours ago by MJS

[Gregg]

HC if they don't make it to the Super Bowl.

[Don Otreply]

1 minute ago, Gregg said:

HC if they don't make it to the Super Bowl.

I just knew we were gonna fire someone in this thread…, 🤣

[Goin Breakdown]

 Long Snapper is my vote. 

[Brand J]

If Coleman pans out, the need for another WR is severely overblown. 

[Draconator]

I voted nickel CB as Taron's heir apparent will be needed sooner than later. 

[DrDawkinstein]

1 minute ago, Draconator said:

I voted nickel CB as Taron's heir apparent will be needed sooner than later. 

 

I believe that is supposed to be Jordan Hancock. Fingers crossed.

[billsfan89]

DL or WR would be my guess. DT despite the recent draft selections in back to back drafts (a pick in each round from rounds 2-4) I could also see DE. Given that there's not much there are Groot. AJE and Bosa are free agents, Hoecht they like but after him it's Landon Jackson and Solomon both young guys with some upside but not a clear starter opposite Groot projection wise. The other big one is WR. Shakir is a slot stud, Palmer is a young vet, and Keon recently drafted. Samuel is on the last year of his deal and can be outed somewhat easily. There's just not a lot there and it's likely yet again the top target this off-season unless there's a big breakout that's not projected. 

 

I would venture to say that if WR is a nagging issue the Bills will go more so the veteran replacement route and draft a DE to sure up that position longer term while trying to find another Bosa type rental to plug it for one more season.