Bills Looking to Add Competition at Punter Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Buffalo met with Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley as they look to solidify the position.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:51pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the various angles and movements of a football punter in action, rendered in a cubist style with sharp planes of navy blue, royal blue, and white.A cubist interpretation of the dynamic motion of a powerful NFL punt, highlighting the technical precision and athleticism required for the often-overlooked special teams position.Buffalo Today

The Buffalo Bills are looking to add competition at the punter position ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The team has reportedly held a Zoom meeting with Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley, who is considered one of the top punting prospects in the class. This comes after the Bills signed punter Mitch Wishnowsky to a one-year deal, but the team may still look to add more competition at the position.

Why it matters

The Bills had a revolving door at punter in 2025, with several players rotating through the role. Adding competition at the position could help the team solidify a key special teams spot and improve their field position throughout games.

The details

Eckley is widely regarded as one of the top two punting prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class. Over his three-year career at Michigan State, he averaged an impressive 47.6 yards per punt with just seven touchbacks. The Bills not only met with Eckley at the NFL Combine, but also held a Zoom meeting with him as they evaluate options to improve the punter position.

  • The Bills signed punter Mitch Wishnowsky to a one-year deal ahead of the 2026 season.
  • The Bills held a Zoom meeting with Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley.

The players

Brandon Beane

The general manager of the Buffalo Bills.

Mitch Wishnowsky

A punter who signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.

Ryan Eckley

A punter from Michigan State who is considered one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class.

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What they’re saying

“Ryan Eckley is widely considered to be a top-2 punter in the 2026 class, if not the very best of the group. Over the course of his three years as the main punter for the Spartans, Eckley averaged an impressive 47.6 yards per punt. At 6-2 and 207 pounds, Eckley is a well-built specialist with a ton of natural pop off his foot.”

— Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports

What’s next

The Bills will continue to evaluate their options at punter ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, including potentially selecting Eckley if he is available when they are on the clock.

The takeaway

The Bills are leaving no stone unturned as they look to solidify the punter position, a key part of the special teams unit. Adding competition through the draft could help them find a long-term solution and improve their field position throughout games.