Buffalo Bills 2026 Mock Draft 1.0: Predicting Brandon Beane’s Next Masterpiece

Welcome to the sickness, Bills Mafia.

It’s April, which means we are officially deep in the chaotic, completely unpredictable throes of mock draft season. You’ve probably been running mock simulators since January, slowly driving yourself insane trying to figure out what Brandon Beane is going to do when the Buffalo Bills are finally on the clock.

Will he mortgage the future to trade up for a flashy wide receiver? Will he stockpile picks like a doomsday prepper? Honestly, nobody knows—probably not even Beane himself right now. However, the sheer anxiety and hope that come with the NFL Draft are what keep us coming back.

With the draft kicking off in Pittsburgh just around the corner, it’s time to throw our own darts at the board. Grab a Blue Light, take a deep breath, and let’s dive into version 1.0 of our 2026 Buffalo Bills 7-round mock draft.

Round 1, Pick 26: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

Let’s face it: the Bills desperately need some beef in the middle of that defensive line. With Larry Ogunjobi facing a suspension and DaQuan Jones out of the picture, the interior of Buffalo’s defense looks a little light. Enter Kayden McDonald.

At 6-2 and just under 330 pounds, McDonald is a hard-to-move force. The Ohio State space-eater disrupted plays with nine tackles for loss last season. Defensive tackle may not excite the crowd, but it’s a foundational pick that helps shut down opposing run games.

Round 3, Pick 91: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois

Gabe Jacas, at 6-4 and 260 pounds, tallied 11 sacks in 2025. Buffalo’s new defensive line coach Terrance Jamison, who coached Jacas at Illinois, understands how to harness his heavy hands and drive.

Jamison knows exactly how to utilize Jacas’s heavy hands and relentless motor. If the talented pass rusher happens to slide to the third round—which is a distinct possibility given the depth of this class—you can bet Jamison will be sprinting to the war room to pound the table for his former player.

Round 4, Pick 126: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

Alright, offensive junkies, you can exhale now. The Bills finally get Josh Allen a weapon. Bryce Lance is a late bloomer who absolutely erupted in his senior season at North Dakota State, posting over 1,000 yards and finding the end zone eight times.

He’s 6-foot-3, runs a blazing 4.34 in the 40-yard dash, and just so happens to be the younger brother of NFL quarterback Trey Lance. Buffalo has been searching for game-breaking speed on the perimeter for years, and Lance has the kind of raw, unteachable traits that could turn him into a massive steal on Day 3.

Round 5, Pick 165: Bud Clark, S, TCU

The Bills struck gold with safety depth in free agency, but you always need a developmental prospect waiting in the wings. Bud Clark is an absolute ballhawk. He logged 15 interceptions over his final few years at TCU and has the coverage instincts of a seasoned cornerback. He’s a bit light at 188 pounds, but giving him a year to bulk up and learn behind guys like C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone could pay massive dividends down the road.

Round 5, Pick 168: Beau Stephens, OG, Iowa

Death, taxes, and Brandon Beane drafting offensive linemen on Day 3. The Bills lost David Edwards in free agency, meaning interior depth is a sneaky need. Beau Stephens is a massive 6-foot-5, 315-pound brawler out of Iowa. He’s tough, heavily tested in the Big Ten trenches, and provides excellent insurance for the interior of the line.

Round 6, Pick 182: Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon

Buffalo’s linebacker room feels a little thin right now. Bryce Boettcher might not be the most naturally gifted athlete in the draft, but the kid plays like his hair is on fire. A former baseball prospect drafted by the Astros, Boettcher gave up the diamond to hit people on the gridiron. He racked up 269 tackles over his college career and is exactly the kind of fearless, special-teams demon that Sean McDermott loves to develop.

Round 7, Pick 220: Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo

Let’s keep the hometown vibes alive. The University at Buffalo has quietly turned into a linebacker factory over the last few years, and Red Murdock is the latest thumper off the assembly line. He set an FBS record with 17 career forced fumbles. Murdock is a tackling machine who brings a nasty, blue-collar edge that perfectly matches the energy of Western New York.

Priority UDFA: Jack Stonehouse, P, Syracuse

Punters are people too! The Bills had a weird revolving door on special teams last year. Mitch Wishnowsky is solid, but bringing in Jack Stonehouse—who averaged 45 yards a boot at Syracuse—provides instant, cheap competition for training camp.