Bills' Lack of Offensive Draft Picks Stands Out

Despite having one of the NFL's best teams in the 2020s, Buffalo has invested far less in offensive talent through the draft compared to other top contenders.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:54pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, abstracted football game, with players and the field broken down into angular, colorful shapes, representing the Bills' offense and lack of offensive draft capital.The Bills' offense has thrived despite a lack of draft capital invested in skill position players, a strategy that may need to change as the team seeks its first Super Bowl title.Buffalo Today

The Buffalo Bills have been one of the most successful NFL teams of the 2020s, posting a 73-27 record over the past six seasons. However, this success has come despite the team ranking last in the league in draft capital spent on offensive players during that span. The Bills have selected just 21 offensive players since 2020, with only one - tight end Dalton Kincaid - being a first-round pick. In contrast, teams like the Jets, Rams, Chiefs, and Eagles have invested heavily in offensive talent through the draft. The Bills' offensive prowess has largely been driven by the exceptional play of quarterback Josh Allen, masking the lack of offensive weapons around him. As the team looks to finally break through and win a Super Bowl, this trend of prioritizing defense over offense in the draft may need to change.

Why it matters

The Bills' lack of investment in offensive talent through the draft is a curious strategy, given the team's sustained success and high-powered offense led by Josh Allen. While the team has been able to overcome this deficiency so far, it raises questions about whether the Bills can take the next step and win a championship without adding more offensive firepower. As the team enters the 2026 draft with seven picks, there may be pressure to shift focus and address this imbalance.

The details

Since 2020, the Buffalo Bills have selected just 21 offensive players in the NFL Draft, the fewest of any team in the league. Only one of those picks, tight end Dalton Kincaid, was a first-round selection. In contrast, teams like the Jets, Rams, Chiefs, and Eagles have been much more aggressive in using high draft capital on offensive talent. Despite this, the Bills have continued to field one of the NFL's top offenses, ranking in the top 10 in both points and yards in each season of the 2020s. This is largely thanks to the exceptional play of quarterback Josh Allen, who has masked the lack of offensive weapons around him. However, the Bills' inability to get over the hump and win a Super Bowl in the 2020s has raised questions about whether this defensive-focused draft strategy is sustainable long-term.

  • The Bills have posted a 73-27 record since 2020, the best in the NFL.
  • The Bills enter the 2026 NFL Draft with seven total picks.

The players

Josh Allen

The Bills' star quarterback, who has led the team's high-powered offense despite a lack of investment in offensive talent through the draft.

Dalton Kincaid

The only offensive player the Bills have selected in the first round since 2020.

Joe Brady

The Bills' new offensive-minded head coach, who may look to shift the team's draft strategy to address the lack of offensive talent.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Out of all 32 teams across the NFL, Buffalo ranked dead last in the league in offensive draft capital since 2020.”

— Warren Sharp, NFL Analyst

What’s next

The Bills enter the 2026 NFL Draft with seven total picks, providing an opportunity to address the team's lack of investment in offensive talent in recent years. With an offensive-minded head coach in Joe Brady now leading the team, there may be pressure to shift the draft strategy and use more high-round picks on offensive players to support quarterback Josh Allen.

The takeaway

The Buffalo Bills' sustained success in the 2020s has come despite a glaring lack of investment in offensive talent through the draft. While the team's high-powered offense has been led by the exceptional play of quarterback Josh Allen, this strategy raises questions about whether the Bills can take the next step and win a championship without adding more offensive firepower. As the team enters the 2026 draft, there may be a shift in focus to address this imbalance and provide Allen with more weapons to work with.