4 NFL Draft Safeties the Bills Should Target to Upgrade Secondary

Buffalo's GM Brandon Beane has options to bolster the safety position for the long term in the upcoming draft.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 12:00pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in mid-tackle, with sharp planes of navy blue, royal blue, and white representing the Buffalo Bills' defensive secondary.A cubist interpretation of a Bills safety making a hard-hitting play, reflecting the team's focus on upgrading the secondary through the draft.Buffalo Today

The Buffalo Bills have addressed some depth needs at safety for the 2026 season, but the long-term outlook at the position remains uncertain. General manager Brandon Beane will likely target a safety prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft to develop as a potential starter opposite rising star Cole Bishop in the coming years.

Why it matters

The Bills' secondary has been a strength of the team, but with aging veterans and unproven depth, Beane will want to invest in the future at safety. Finding the right prospect to pair with Bishop could solidify the back end of the defense for years to come.

The details

The Bills have signed Geno Stone and C.J. Gardner-Johnson to provide depth at safety for 2026, but beyond that season the options are thin. Jordan Hancock saw limited action in 2025 and could earn a bigger role, but the Bills will likely target a safety prospect in the draft to develop as a long-term starter. Top options include Oregon's Dillon Thieneman, Penn State's Zakee Wheatley, Mississippi State's Isaac Smith, and Kansas State's VJ Payne.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in late April.

The players

Brandon Beane

The general manager of the Buffalo Bills who has been tasked with improving the team's roster through free agency and the draft.

Cole Bishop

A rising star safety for the Buffalo Bills who has emerged as a key piece of the team's secondary.

Geno Stone

A veteran safety signed by the Bills to provide depth in the 2026 season.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson

A veteran safety signed by the Bills to provide depth in the 2026 season.

Jordan Hancock

A Bills safety who saw limited action in 2025 and will compete for a larger role in 2026.

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What’s next

The Bills will evaluate safety prospects at the upcoming NFL Combine and Pro Days leading up to the draft, with the goal of finding the right long-term fit to pair with Cole Bishop in the secondary.

The takeaway

The Bills have a chance to solidify their secondary for years to come by investing an early draft pick in a talented safety prospect who can develop alongside rising star Cole Bishop. Finding the right fit will be crucial as the team looks to build on its defensive success.