Bills Predicted to Make Surprise 1st-Round NFL Draft Trade

Buffalo has some incentive to make a move in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:09pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a fragmented, multi-angled view of a football game or NFL Draft scene, with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color representing the strategic maneuvering of teams on draft day.The Bills' potential first-round trade reflects their aggressive and creative approach to the NFL Draft.Buffalo Today

According to ESPN's Matt Miller, the Buffalo Bills are the team most likely to trade down from their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Bills, who currently hold the 26th overall selection, may look to acquire more draft capital or a veteran player in exchange for their pick.

Why it matters

The Bills have a history of trading their first-round pick under GM Brandon Beane, and with just three picks in the first four rounds this year, they could benefit from adding more draft capital. However, finding a trade partner willing to move up may be challenging, as teams are expected to be hesitant to give up 2027 picks due to the strength of next year's draft class.

The details

According to Miller, the Bills' decision to trade down will likely come down to how their draft board shakes out. If there is a clear prospect they covet at 26, they may stay put and make the selection. But if the first round is jumbled, a trade could make sense as the Bills look to acquire more picks or a veteran player.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 2026.

The players

Brandon Beane

The general manager of the Buffalo Bills, who has a history of trading the team's first-round pick on draft day.

Matt Miller

An ESPN NFL draft analyst who predicts the Bills are the team most likely to trade down in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

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What they’re saying

“Finding a partner willing to move into Round 1 might be as difficult as predicting which team will move out. It's expected that teams will not give up too much 2027 capital based on the strength of next year's class. That makes me think it'll be a "win-now" team willing to jump out of Round 1.”

— Matt Miller, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place in April 2026, so the Bills' draft plans will become clearer as the event approaches.

The takeaway

The Bills' potential first-round trade reflects the team's willingness to be aggressive and creative in their approach to the NFL Draft. While finding a trade partner may be challenging, the move could allow Buffalo to acquire more draft capital or a veteran player to help them in their pursuit of a Super Bowl championship.