The Buffalo Bills, fresh off a 12-5 season, have significantly improved their position in the 2025 NFL Draft, jumping from No. 30 to No. 26 overall, according to the latest NFL announcement. This move places the Bills in a prime position to select impactful players for their first-time head coach Joe Brady, who is in the process of finalizing his coaching staff at One Bills Drive.

Strategic Positioning for a Salary Cap-Strapped Team

With the Bills operating under a tight salary cap, the ability to secure high-value draft picks is critical. The team’s first-round selection at No. 26 overall will be the first of seven picks the Bills are expected to make over the three-day draft event, offering a substantial opportunity to bolster the roster with immediate contributors.

The No. 1 overall selection will go to the Las Vegas Raiders (3-14), while the Chicago Bears (11-6) will pick one spot ahead of the Bills at No. 25 overall. The San Francisco 49ers (12-5) will follow the Bills at No. 27.

In 2025, the Bills used the No. 30 pick to select Maxwell Hairston, a cornerback from the University of Kentucky. In the same year, the Atlanta Falcons used the No. 26 pick to select James Pearce, a defensive end from Tennessee, and the Baltimore Ravens took Malaki Starks, a safety from Georgia, one pick later.

Historical Draft Performance at No. 26

The Bills have had mixed results in previous drafts at the No. 26 pick. In 2023, they selected tight end Dalton Kincaid with the No. 25 pick, a successful move that contributed to the team’s offensive depth. In 2017, the Bills drafted cornerback Tre’Davious White with the No. 27 pick, which also proved to be a valuable addition.

However, their last two selections at No. 26 were considered first-round busts. In 2006, the Bills used the pick on John McCargo, a defensive tackle from North Carolina State, who made only one career start and recorded 47 tackles and 2.5 sacks over 40 games. In 2000, the team selected Erik Flowers, a defensive end from Arizona State, who finished with 5.0 career sacks, 31 of which were recorded while playing for the Bills.

Despite these challenges, the Bills are optimistic about the 2025 draft. Their selections will span Rounds 1 through 5, with the team holding picks in each round.

Trade-Driven Draft Picks

The Bills have also acquired additional draft picks through trades. Their Round 6 pick was traded to the New York Jets in a 2024 cutdown day deal that brought return specialist Brandon Codrington to Buffalo. The team’s Round 7 selection belongs to the Cleveland Browns as part of a midseason trade for wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Currently, the Bills hold two seventh-round picks, one from the Jets (as part of the Codrington trade) and one from the Dallas Cowboys, which came as compensation for trading away former first-round cornerback Kaiir Elam.

As the draft approaches, the Bills will be looking to address key areas of need, particularly on defense and special teams, while also considering long-term development for their young core. The team’s ability to make the right selections in the 2025 NFL Draft could significantly impact their trajectory in the coming years.