The Bills covered a lot of ground during the draft, including at a critical position that has been hurting for years.
UConn Huskies wide receiver Skyler Bell just misses the catch under pressure from UAB Blazers cornerback Tamarion Crumpley and safety Sirad Bryant .
| David Butler II-Imagn ImagesThe Bills have spent the past many years experiencing underwhelming production from its group of pass catchers and they had to come away with a player who presented potential to change the look of the team’s wide receiver corps. Buffalo did just that and it didn’t stop there, managing to spread 10 picks across a number of different spots on the roster.
Various position groups experienced remarkable improvement during the two days in which the Bills cast their picks, six of which fell on the defensive side of the ball. However, wide receiver wasn’t the only position that improved offensively. Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore runs after the catch against Green Bay Packers guard Lecitus Smith during the first quarter at Soldier Field. | Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images, not only of the Bills’ 2026 slate, but the entire draft.
It was great timing by Beane, who made up for what, when the Bills traded back instead of actively pursuing one of the top-tier wide receiver prospects that fell beyond their draft projection. The Bills' fourth-round WR should challenge to become the Bills’ WR3, as he has Joshua Palmer and 2024 second-round pick Keon Coleman to beat out this summer at training camp.
Bell's selection marked the seventh straight season in which Buffalo has drafted a wide receiver, dating back to Gabe Davis' selection in the fourth round in 2020. Also, the Bills used their original second-round pick this year to make a move for DJ Moore, who, although he isn’t a rookie, was.
It's the second time under Beane Buffalo has made a big offseason move for a wide receiver, with the other coming in 2020, when Buffalo traded with the Minnesota Vikings to acquire Stefon Diggs. , it was mainly because of the timing of his selection, which came when I felt the Bills needed to address other positions. With that said, I can’t deny that adding Bowry's talent to the mix won't hurt.
At the very least, he offers additional depth with a slight chance of developing into a future starter. Additionally, Buffalo took a flyer on Ar’maj Reed-Adams in the seventh round to bolster its interior O-line. He may not make the roster, but will likely serve as a valuable piece of the Bills' practice squad this season as he waits in the wings for an opportunity. T.J.
Parker during Clemson football first fall 2025 practice at the Allen N. Reeves Football Complex in Clemson. | Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Imagesby the Bills, as I was more interested in Buffalo selecting Cashius Howell with their first pick of the draft.
However, I’m willing to acknowledge Parker isn’t a complete whiff of a draft pick. He is a solid player who should immediately help improve Buffalo’s run defense, which struggled mightily last season.
However, the true value of his selection will be determined by his ability to develop as a pass rusher. Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Davison Igbinosun catches a ball during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images. With that said, the Bills did need to bring in depth at cornerback, and they found it in the former Ohio State defender.
Buffalo also drafted Toriano Pride Jr. in the seventh round, who During his post-draft comments, Beane referred to cornerback as the team’s most significant need entering the draft. I don’t agree with that, but I do agree with his sentiment—this team needed more at the position, and they found just that, even if it cost them a bit to do so. Alex Brasky is editor of Bills Digest and host of the Buffalo Pregame podcast.
He has been on the Bills beat the past six seasons and now joins ON SI to expand his coverage of Buffalo’s favorite football team. Bills' 2026 NFL Draft Grade Roundup Shows Most Experts Surprisingly Favor ClassNFL Week 17 Best Bets NFL Week 16 Best Bets
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