A range of national sports media outlets have released their latest projections for the Buffalo Bills’ first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The consensus among analysts is that the team could target several key positions, including wide receiver, edge rusher, safety, linebacker, and cornerback.
Vinnie Iyer from Sporting News predicts that Buffalo will select Mason Thomas, an edge rusher from Oklahoma. Iyer notes that “Thomas can bring the needed energy and production, packing a wallop in a smaller, relentless frame.”
Fox Sports’ Henry McKenna suggests safety Dillon Thieneman from Oregon as the pick at No. 26 overall. McKenna writes: “You’d think Bills GM Brandon Beane would want to give new head coach Joe Brady a weapon on offense, but Beane is disciplined and won’t reach. Thieneman should be the playmaker the Bills have needed since the departures and declines of safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde.”
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today points to T.J. Parker from Clemson as a potential choice for edge/linebacker help. According to Middlehurst-Schwartz: “Beane can address another point of unease by selecting the powerful Parker to give new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard a more settled edge rush.”
The Athletic’s staff sees wide receiver Denzel Boston from Washington as a good fit for Buffalo’s offense. Manny Navarro writes: “It felt like new head coach Joe Brady owed it to Josh Allen to get him a true No. 1 receiver. Boston’s large catch radius and proficiency in traffic will help Allen in the red zone. He produced at least 60 catches and 800 yards in each of the last two seasons and caught 20 touchdowns over that span.”
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. also projects Denzel Boston for Buffalo’s first-round selection: “Boston’s hands, catch radius and vision would quickly make him a go-to option for quarterback Josh Allen.He finished with 881 yards and 11 scores last season, bullying opposing cornerbacks along the way.”
Bucky Brooks at NFL.com proposes Malachi Fields from Notre Dame as another possible wide receiver target: “The Bills must continue to throw resources at the wide receiver position. Fields is a supersized playmaker with the tools to blossom as an ‘X’ receiver in a pro-style offense.”
Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus echoes Fox Sports’ suggestion by naming Dillon Thieneman as his choice due to recent performance issues at safety for Buffalo; he highlights that Thieneman earned an elite grade during his college career while making key plays on defense.
Keith Sanchez at The Draft Network shifts focus back to defense with linebacker C.J. Allen out of Georgia: “The hot topic in Buffalo has been the receiver position. So while that remains a top priority, the Bills also need players to help stop the run. That’s why they go with Georgia LB CJ Allen, a physical downhill thumper.”
Gennaro Filice from NFL.com returns attention once again to Denzel Boston if Buffalo wants another big-bodied receiving threat.
Yahoo Sports writers Nate Tice and Charles McDonald identify T.J. Parker as an athletic defensive end who could strengthen all three levels of Buffalo’s defense under new coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Finally, Fox Sports Research lists cornerback Brandon Cisse out of South Carolina as their projected pick due to his strong tackling ability and coverage skills demonstrated over recent seasons.
Buffalo’s safety unit ranked near the bottom third in overall grades this past season according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), highlighting ongoing needs on defense despite improvements late last year.
The collection of mock drafts underscores uncertainty about which direction general manager Brandon Beane may take when addressing both offensive weapons for quarterback Josh Allen or reinforcing multiple spots on defense.
