Bruce Feldman 1st round mock for The Athletic

[GunnerBill]

54 minutes ago, Paup 1995MVP said:

A better Javon Salomon ?

 

Do you see us taking him at 26, or maybe trading back and taking him in the second round ?

 

You seem to know the players well for the upcoming draft.  Who do you think we take w our first pick?  And who do you hope we take with our first pick?

 

I don't see the Bills taking Howell. Who do I think? I think CJ Allen or one of the receivers.

 

As for hope.... I don't really have one unless Jordyn Tyson falls a bit and we can get him. 

[BuffaloBillyG]

18 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I don't see the Bills taking Howell. Who do I think? I think CJ Allen or one of the receivers.

 

As for hope.... I don't really have one unless Jordyn Tyson falls a bit and we can get him. 

I mean, Buffalo drafting an Allen in the first round worked out well last time. And many people here have said we need an Allen on defense. 

[Rigotz]

On 4/2/2026 at 9:10 AM, NewEra said:

Meanwhile…..there has never been ONE good pass rusher with arms as short as Howell. Ever

 

Howell was my original draft crush and the guy I was hoping for at 26.  But numbers don’t lie.  Cashius wishes his arms would lie and be brought back to life by Gepetto.  That seems like his only chance.

 

taking a player trying to be one of one in the history of the nfl history is a no go for me.  Rd 3, sure

 

Ok, but you better be out on Rueben Bain as well then, because his arms are only 5/8 of an inch longer.

 

Edited Sunday at 04:09 PM by Rigotz

[OldTimer1960]

33 minutes ago, Rigotz said:

Ok, but you better be out on Rueben Bain as well then, because his arms are only 5/8 of an inch longer.

 

I just don't see the need to take a risk on Howell's very short arms and Bain is moot because he will likely be long-gone.  If he isn't, still not sure I would roll the dice on him either.  
 

I think finding someone at 26 who can be a contributor this year and develop into a decent or better long-term starter is about the best we can hope for.  After that, I'm just hoping that they can find three guys who can make the roster and be good backups.

[NewEra]

59 minutes ago, Rigotz said:

Ok, but you better be out on Rueben Bain as well then, because his arms are only 5/8 of an inch longer.

 

Bain is inconsequential to my draft.  I haven’t watched any tape, just 4-5 Miami games this year.  He was impressive for sure.  He’s also 20 lbs heavier than Howell to help withstand the force.  

[Kaenon]

On 4/2/2026 at 2:56 AM, dreadlox said:

I don’t hate it. The Bills need pass rush and this kid provides that. 

Watching the Aggies every year as I do - it would be a great pickup.  

[ndirish1978]

Shorter arm-length should be viewed as a negative factor im decision-making because the draft should be about maximizing your chance to get a good player and minimizing risk. You don't take a risk that a player is going to be the one outlier in the history of his position with your only pick in the 1st 2 rounds. If we were talking about Howell as a 3-4 rounder I could see the argument, but this team has serious needs at WR, DT and ILB.

 

ILB can be filled in rounds 3+. At WR I think you can make the argument that Concepcion is the only one worth a 1st rounder in the range we are drafting. You can get a speed receiver in rounds 3+. A NT that has pass-rush juice is a 1st round pick but I don't think McDonald has enough. If Concepcion is gone I would want to trade back. I like Miller from UGA about as much as McDonald and he's a 2nd rounder. I'd rather have Miller and Trotter or Ted Hurst than taking a swing at some maybe DE. 

[Mikey152]

13 hours ago, ndirish1978 said:

Shorter arm-length should be viewed as a negative factor im decision-making because the draft should be about maximizing your chance to get a good player and minimizing risk. You don't take a risk that a player is going to be the one outlier in the history of his position with your only pick in the 1st 2 rounds. If we were talking about Howell as a 3-4 rounder I could see the argument, but this team has serious needs at WR, DT and ILB.

 

ILB can be filled in rounds 3+. At WR I think you can make the argument that Concepcion is the only one worth a 1st rounder in the range we are drafting. You can get a speed receiver in rounds 3+. A NT that has pass-rush juice is a 1st round pick but I don't think McDonald has enough. If Concepcion is gone I would want to trade back. I like Miller from UGA about as much as McDonald and he's a 2nd rounder. I'd rather have Miller and Trotter or Ted Hurst than taking a swing at some maybe DE. 

The whole "outlier" thing makes me laugh...talk about misleading

 

"Since 1999, no Defensive Lineman with arms shorter than 31" has recorded a double digit sack season and only one recorded a sack"

 

Prior to this year, since 1999 only 7 LINEMAN fit this criteria and 6 of them are tackles. One first rounder, one 6th and 5 UDFAs. Only ONE is an Edge.  The one who recorded a sack? He was taken in the first round, finished in the top 10 in DROY voting and had 7.5 sacks his second season. Not a bust. This year, there are 4 EDGES with arms under 31 inches.

 

Anything under 33" is considered below average. Guys like Melvin Ingram, Trey Hendrickson and Micah Parsons fall into that category. Aiden Hutchinson is 10th percentile. And Micah has HUGE hands at 11", so his arms are probably SHORTER than Bain and Howell at the wrist (if it is really about reach). Interestingly, 32" arms are 10th percentile for DE/Edge, but Micah at 31.5 was 19th percentile at OLB. So, like I said...it is less of an outlier standing up.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if all of this negative stuff is some team trying to push Bain down to them. It's, quite frankly, silly.

Edited Wednesday at 08:23 PM by Mikey152

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

On 4/2/2026 at 5:35 AM, Kirby Jackson said:

 

Arm length has mattered to the Bills (and I think Carolina before that). I don’t see any way that the guy that reset the scale in terms of arm length is their target.

 

Personally I like the idea of more explosive pass rushers. I just don’t think there’s much chance he’s the guy. Howell was literally “off the charts” in terms of his arm length. 

I don’t think that a Tyrannosaurus rex would be a bad idea on this defense.. how are his teeth? 

[Buffalo716]

Didn't realize howell has beyond terrible length 

 

That is gonna hurt his draft stock 

Edited Wednesday at 09:15 PM by Buffalo716

[Sierra Foothills]

35 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

Didn't realize howell has beyond terrible length 

 

That is gonna hurt his draft stock 

 

On the other hand, if they make another Godzilla movie... 

 

[3rdand12]

On 4/2/2026 at 3:19 AM, Buffalo716 said:

He would definitely fit the new scheme 

 

He has the burst although he needs a little bit more refinement in his Rush 

 

Not great against the rush but he's a true pass rusher that we haven't been able to draft in a while 

 

He could be the third down specialist we've been looking for potentially with the room to grow 

 

But he fits the defense standing up on the edge

Thanks for sharing.

I like this player plenty .

 To quote you

 " He could be the third down specialist we've been looking for "

Not sure I want a 3rd down specialist at 26. Could we get a few second down reps from him too ?

 If Bills can move around and get a second round pick back , and still get him ? I might get talked into the value.

Prefer two Big Kids later in the draft if Bills stay at 26 etc

[3rdand12]

56 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

Didn't realize howell has beyond terrible length 

 

That is gonna hurt his draft stock 

That might be a good thing for the Bills 🧐

Edited Wednesday at 10:10 PM by 3rdand12

[Buffalo716]

12 minutes ago, 3rdand12 said:

Thanks for sharing.

I like this player plenty .

 To quote you

 " He could be the third down specialist we've been looking for "

Not sure I want a 3rd down specialist at 26. Could we get a few second down reps from him too ?

 If Bills can move around and get a second round pick back , and still get him ? I might get talked into the value.

Prefer two Big Kids later in the draft if Bills stay at 26 etc

Didnt realize how short his arms where

 

It's definitely going to hurt his draft stock a bit.. might be able to get him in a second round now 

 

He's going to have to develop world-class hands and counterability to mitigate that arm length tho

Edited Wednesday at 10:12 PM by Buffalo716

[3rdand12]

27 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

Didnt realize how short his arms where

 

It's definitely going to hurt his draft stock a bit.. might be able to get him in a second round now 

 

He's going to have to develop world-class hands and counterability to mitigate that arm length tho

 

28 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

Didnt realize how short his arms where

 

It's definitely going to hurt his draft stock a bit.. might be able to get him in a second round now 

 

He's going to have to develop world-class hands and counterability to mitigate that arm length tho

Did you read Mikey 152s take on this ^^^

 Kyle Williams overcame his supposed Physical limitations playing DT.

Can he play football ? and I hope his stock drops.

 He is not my pick now that I read more about the Kayden kid. But wish him well against all the negative ( realistic) chatter about him. 

[OldTimer1960]

16 hours ago, ndirish1978 said:

Shorter arm-length should be viewed as a negative factor im decision-making because the draft should be about maximizing your chance to get a good player and minimizing risk. You don't take a risk that a player is going to be the one outlier in the history of his position with your only pick in the 1st 2 rounds. If we were talking about Howell as a 3-4 rounder I could see the argument, but this team has serious needs at WR, DT and ILB.

 

ILB can be filled in rounds 3+. At WR I think you can make the argument that Concepcion is the only one worth a 1st rounder in the range we are drafting. You can get a speed receiver in rounds 3+. A NT that has pass-rush juice is a 1st round pick but I don't think McDonald has enough. If Concepcion is gone I would want to trade back. I like Miller from UGA about as much as McDonald and he's a 2nd rounder. I'd rather have Miller and Trotter or Ted Hurst than taking a swing at some maybe DE. 

The very hard part is finding someone who wants to come up to 26 for one of the players the Bills don’t want.  I would love a trade down from 26 - if it nets at least a 3rd (of course if they only move back a few slots then a later pick would be fine).

1 hour ago, 3rdand12 said:

 

Did you read Mikey 152s take on this ^^^

 Kyle Williams overcame his supposed Physical limitations playing DT.

Can he play football ? and I hope his stock drops.

 He is not my pick now that I read more about the Kayden kid. But wish him well against all the negative ( realistic) chatter about him. 

Kyle Williams was what - a 5th round pick?  At some point in the draft the “value of the pick will balance his speed, flexibility and production in the SEC against his 0th percentile arm length for his position.  26 feels too costly for that risk - just my opinion.

[Pete]

On 4/2/2026 at 7:01 AM, TheBeaneBandit said:

All the WR......gone.

I like Chris Bell, Bryce Lance, Ted Hurt, and Skyler Bell.

 

Id love to see a trade back, and drafting Chris Bell.

 

Round 1, Pick 26 (No. 26)

Round 3, Pick 27 (No. 91)

Round 4, Pick 26 (No. 126)

Round 5, Pick 25 (No. 165) — From Chicago Bears (DJ Moore Trade)

Round 5, Pick 28 (No. 168)

Round 6, Pick 1 (No. 182) — From Jets (Taron Johnson Trade)

Round 7, Pick 4 (No. 220) — From Jets (Brandon Codrington Trade) 

So with a trade back, adding a top 100 pick, drafting Chris Bell, the Bills will have 5 picks in the first 168.  And 7 out first 220.

 

The strength of this draft is rounds 2-4.  Bills have 7 picks for Defense-LB, NT, Edge, DE, FB and 2 more D

[Freddie's Dead]

Cashius "Show me the money" Howell....

[GASabresIUFan]

You have to wonder if these media types actually research the teams before they write their mock drafts.  
1.  Beane does take short armed defenders -  therefore Howell won’t be a Bill.

2. Howell hasn’t visited with the Bills.  Nearly everyone they drafted last year visited with the team.  Hairston, Strong, Hawes, Walker and Sanders all had top 30 visits.  Jackson had two meetings.  No way the Bills draft someone in the 1st rd they haven’t visited with. 

FYI; in 2024 they had a top 30 visit with Coleman amongst other WRs and had many conversations with Bishop.  (they also met with McConkey and DeJean.)

 

Edited Thursday at 05:48 AM by GASabresIUFan

[Pete]

On 4/2/2026 at 6:29 PM, RenoNVBillsfan said:

Didn’t Kiper predict Bills would take a CB at #26? CB..arguably the most solid position on D now?!? I swear, Kiper is seriously falling faster than Shedeur Sanders. 🙄

Kiper has been having Brazzell drafted by the Bills for months