Orchard Park, NY (WGR550) - Here is my one and only mock draft for 2026, followed by an explanation of the Bills pick (no trades allowed):
2026 Mock Draft
26. BUFFALO BILLS:
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
First, let me address the wide receiver crowd. I absolutely agree the Bills could use another playmaking wideout. And I also think general manager Brandon Beane will consider it, if the right player and value is there.
However, as you can see in this mock, three wide receivers were taken in a row right before the Bills selected, including Omar Cooper, Jr., Denzel Boston, and K.C. Concepcion. Add them with Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate, and Makai Lemon, and the remaining crop was just too thin to justify a player at that position in the spot.
I know many also would love an edge rusher. But the Bills added Bradley Chubb this offseason and signed Greg Rousseau to a long-term deal just a year ago. Plus, with the way the team has repeatedly talked-up Javon Solomon's potential in Jim Leonhard's new defense, and Michael Hoecht returning at some point this season, I can't see how a rookie edge rusher will fit in as quickly and importantly as an interior defensive linemen, especially with the top four already off the board in my mock.
Since Leonhard was hired, the Bills have talked extensively about having to be better at stopping the run in order to force teams into longer third downs and getting the ball back to Josh Allen. They were 28th in the NFL last year allowing 136.2 yards per game on the ground. They were 30th allowing 5.14 rushing yards per play. Yet they have not made a single addition to this position in the off-season.
They do like a lot of the group they have. However, that group is built more for a 4-3 defense than the hybrid 3-4 Leonhard will run. They lack a true run-stopper in the middle who can take on double-teams and allow those other defensive tackles, like Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, and T.J. Sanders, to use their athleticism and penetrate. That's what the 6'2", 326-pound McDonald is and does.
McDonald won't offer much right away as a pass rusher, but he just needs some refining in that area and can eventually develop that part of his game. And the Bills won't be asking him to do that, anyway. They just need him to stop the run, which he did at a very high rate at Ohio State last year, collecting 65 total tackles, including 9 for loss, both very high numbers for an interior defensive lineman. He even had three sacks.
Other defensive tackles to consider in this mock draft scenario:
Christen Miller (Georgia), Peter Woods (Clemson), Caleb Banks (Florida), Lee Hunter (Texas Tech).
Other players to consider in this mock draft scenario:
EDGE: Cashius Howell (Texas A&M), T.J. Parker (Clemson), Malachi Lawrence (UCF)
WR: Chris Bell (Louisville)
OG: Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon)
OT: Blake Miller (Clemson), Max Iheanachor (Iowa State)
LB: Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)
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