Bills' 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup After NFL Combine

Experts weigh in on who the Bills could select with the 26th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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With the NFL combine now over and free agency kicking off, teams' 2026 NFL Draft boards are starting to solidify. We now know how the prospects measure and are starting to understand what each team's biggest needs will be. This article provides a roundup of 2026 NFL mock drafts for the Buffalo Bills, who hold the 26th overall pick.

Why it matters

The Bills are coming off a strong 2025 season and are looking to continue building a championship-caliber roster through the draft. Their 26th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft will be a key addition, so analyzing the latest mock drafts can provide insight into the team's potential strategy and needs.

The details

Several experts have projected different players for the Bills at pick No. 26, including EDGE Cashius Howell from Texas A&M, WR Omar Cooper Jr. from Indiana, LB C.J. Allen from Georgia, S Dillon Thieneman from Oregon, and EDGE T.J. Parker from Clemson. The selections reflect the Bills' needs on both offense and defense, as well as the shifting draft landscape after the NFL Combine.

  • The NFL Combine took place in February 2026.
  • NFL free agency kicked off in March 2026.

The players

Cashius Howell

A defensive end from Texas A&M who recorded 11.5 sacks and 14.0 tackles for loss in the SEC last season.

Omar Cooper Jr.

A wide receiver from Indiana who could provide a versatile option for the Bills' offense after their trade for D.J. Moore.

C.J. Allen

A linebacker from Georgia who was a team captain and green dot linebacker, possessing the skills to help the Bills' defense transition to a new system.

Dillon Thieneman

A safety from Oregon who impressed at the NFL Combine with his elite athleticism, potentially filling a need in the Bills' secondary.

T.J. Parker

A defensive end from Clemson who had a down year in 2025 after a dominant 2024 season, raising questions about his fit in the Bills' 3-4 defense.

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What they’re saying

“Even before the D.J. Moore trade, we were suspicious that Brandon Beane would actually take a wide receiver at 26, so we've had an edge rusher to the Bills in our last two 2026 NFL Mock Draft predictions.”

— Tim Crean, ClutchPoints (ClutchPoints)

“The D.J. Moore trade did not necessarily disqualify the Bills from taking a WR in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. After Moore on the outside and Khalil Shakir in the slot, the team's WR room is still woefully undermanned.”

— Charles Davis, NFL Network (NFL Network)

“Linebacker is one of those positions. Matt Milano is likely gone in NFL free agency and with two starting ILBs in a 3-4, the team could use those spots to get more talent on the field than Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams.”

— Jordan Reid, ESPN (ESPN)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This article highlights the various options the Bills are considering with their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, as they look to continue building a championship-caliber roster through the draft after a successful 2025 season.