Bills' Draft Needs Skew Heavily Toward Jim Leonhard's Defense

Buffalo likely to use majority of draft capital to address defensive holes

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:27pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game or competition, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the players' movements and the field. The vibrant blues and reds of the Buffalo Bills' uniforms are visible, but the players' identities are obscured, focusing on the raw energy and action of the sport.The Bills' defensive overhaul under new coordinator Jim Leonhard is reflected in the team's draft needs, with the majority of their capital expected to address needs on that side of the ball.Norman Today

The Buffalo Bills are undergoing a defensive makeover under new coordinator Jim Leonhard and are expected to use the majority of their 2026 NFL Draft capital to address needs on that side of the ball. With only one major offensive hole to fill, the Bills' four biggest draft needs all belong to Leonhard's unit, including linebacker, edge rusher, cornerback, and swing tackle.

Why it matters

The Bills' defensive transition under Leonhard represents a significant shift in philosophy from the Sean McDermott era. By investing heavily in the defense through the draft, Buffalo is signaling its commitment to building a more aggressive, attacking unit that can compete with the top offenses in the NFL.

The details

The Bills, who traded away their Round 2 pick for wide receiver DJ Moore this offseason, have seven selections in the 2026 NFL Draft with the first at No. 26 overall. Their four biggest needs are at linebacker, edge rusher, cornerback, and swing tackle. At linebacker, the Bills need to find a long-term starter to pair with Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams. Edge rusher is another priority after the team let Joey Bosa and AJ Epenesa walk in free agency. The Bills also need to find a reliable CB3 to complement Tre'Davious White and Christian Benford, as well as a swing tackle to back up starters Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown.

  • The Bills have seven selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, with their first pick coming at No. 26 overall.
  • The team's next pick is in Round 3 at No. 91 overall.

The players

Jim Leonhard

The Bills' new defensive coordinator, who is tasked with leading the team's defensive makeover.

Terrel Bernard

A linebacker who returns to the Bills' roster from last season.

Dorian Williams

A linebacker who returns to the Bills' roster from last season.

Greg Rousseau

The Bills' starting edge rusher, who was drafted in the first round in 2021.

Bradley Chubb

A free agent addition who is expected to start opposite Rousseau on the Bills' defensive line.

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What they’re saying

“I love the fact that they're gonna be a more attacking defense. I know that's Jim Leonhard's background. He comes from Denver, where he was there with Vance Joseph. You saw what that defense was doing. I'm sure in the draft, they're gonna be looking at edge players and trying to find more hybrid type edge rushers. I like the idea of what they're trying to do because I think it's time for a change there.”

— Jeffri Chadiha, NFL Media Analyst

What’s next

The Bills will look to address their defensive needs through the 2026 NFL Draft, with their first pick coming at No. 26 overall.

The takeaway

The Bills' defensive overhaul under new coordinator Jim Leonhard is a clear priority this offseason, as the team is expected to use the majority of its draft capital to address needs at linebacker, edge rusher, cornerback, and swing tackle. This shift in philosophy represents a significant change from the Sean McDermott era and signals the team's commitment to building a more aggressive, attacking defense.