2026 Buffalo Bills Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection
Draft Capital: 8 picks | Overall Grade: B Last Updated: December 30, 2025Executive Summary
Buffalo Bills enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 8 selections and critical needs at Wide Receiver, Edge Rusher, Safety. This mock has them addressing their biggest weaknesses while maintaining draft value.
Complete Draft Class:---
Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis
Pick #23 - Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, Wide Receiver, Washington
Rank: #25 overall | Grade: B+ | Need Match: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Why This Pick:Houston takes Caleb Lomu despite offensive tackle ranking eighth on their needs list because his movement skills and recovery ability project toward franchise left tackle potential. Lomu is still in the early stages of development at just 308 pounds, but his excellent body control and ability to adapt in-game—notably shutting down Texas Tech's Romello Height after early struggles—demonstrate the football intelligence teams covet. The Texans are investing in protecting their quarterback for the next decade.
The Fit:Lomu's foot quickness and range to expand set points make him an ideal fit for Houston's passing attack that needs consistent protection. His Walker Little ceiling and Tyler Guyton-level development curve suggest patience will be required, but his ability to reset hands and hips without panicking translates immediately. The below-average play strength in the run game needs work, but his pass-protection traits suggest a future Pro Bowl left tackle.
Scouting Report:If Denzel Boston was off the board, Buffalo Bills could target similar Wide Receivers in the first round range.
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Pick #54 - Buffalo Bills: AJ Haulcy, Safety, LSU
Rank: #52 overall | Grade: B- | Need Match: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Why This Pick:Houston doubles down on interior defense by taking Domonique Orange after selecting A'Mauri Washington earlier—both players addressing the nose tackle need that tops their board. Orange's devastating upper body power is verified by outrageous testing numbers: 450-pound bench press and 650-pound squat that earned him a spot on the Feldman Freaks list. The Texans are stockpiling interior mass to build their defensive line from the inside out.
The Fit:Orange's surprising quickness off the snap for his massive frame allows gap penetration that his raw power then converts into backfield disruption. His diverse pass-rush arsenal—club moves, hump techniques, and swim maneuvers—gives Houston an interior presence who can generate pressure rather than just occupy blockers. The pad-level concerns and struggles against double-teams need coaching, but his T.J. Slaton-like ceiling justifies the developmental investment.
Scouting Report:If AJ Haulcy was off the board, Buffalo Bills could target similar Safetys in the second round range.
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Pick #88 - Buffalo Bills: Jaishawn Barham, Inside Linebacker, Michigan
Rank: #84 overall | Grade: C+ | Need Match: ⭐⭐⭐ Why This Pick:Buffalo takes the best player available in Jaishawn Barham, a Freshman All-American linebacker from Michigan whose 6-3, 243-pound frame resembles an edge rusher but whose instincts and tackling pop project to off-ball dominance. Barham's exceptional size and vertical burst to shoot gaps create immediate disruption, while his violent tackling and consistent wrapping up of ball carriers add defensive enforcement. The Bills are betting his developmental ceiling matches his physical tools.
The Fit:Barham's versatility to play multiple linebacker spots and rush the passer gives Buffalo's defensive coordinator creative deployment options as his coverage skills develop. His lateral quickness and sideline-to-sideline range allow him to patrol effectively, while his strength to take on and shed blocks from offensive linemen provides early-down run-stopping value. The play diagnosis that can be a beat slow and developing coverage skills mean patience is required, but his raw tools project to eventual starter.
Scouting Report:If Jaishawn Barham was off the board, Buffalo Bills could target similar Inside Linebackers in the Day 2-3 range.
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Pick #160: Eric Rivers (WRS, Georgia Tech) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #177: Boubacar Traore (Edge Rusher, Notre Dame) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #180: Trey Zuhn III (Offensive Tackle, Texas A&M) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #221: Eli Raridon (Tight End, Notre Dame) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #230: Darius Taylor (Running Back, Minnesota) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.---
Buffalo Bills Draft Class Summary
Overall Grade: B What Went Right:---
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