Story perspectives

Bills Trade First-Round, Draft Defensive Depth with Ten Picks

4/28/2026

Summary

Beane Drafts Depth

Bills GM Brandon Beane traded out of the first round and made ten selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He selected edge rusher T.J. Parker (Clemson) at No. 35 and cornerback Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State) at No. 62 in the second round.
Analysts noted the draft emphasized defensive depth, featured few offensive splash picks, relied on later-round quantity, and received grades from D+ to A.

Summary

Beane Trade Talks

Brandon Beane confirmed that teams queried a trade for receiver Keon Coleman in March, which the Bills declined.
Joe Brady said Keon Coleman remains in the Bills’ plans despite drafting Skyler Bell.
The Bills are exploring linebacker reunions with players Shaq Thompson and Matt Milano before 2026.
Brandon Beane left open re-signing cornerback Tre’Davious White after 2025, while punter Tommy Doman Jr. battles Mitch Wishnowsky, whose roster spot is uncertain.

Summary

Bills Trade Down

The Bills traded down from pick 168 to 181, added a 213 selection, and took Ar’Maj Reed-Adams at 241 overall.
Reed-Adams, a 6-5½-inch, 317-lb lineman, logged over 2,400 snaps, started 39 games, and was ranked the 14th-best guard nationally in 2024 with the sixth-highest run-blocking grade.
Cornerback Toriano Pride Jr., 5-10, 185 lb, ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash—the fastest among cornerbacks—boosting his draft grade.

History

Historical Context

In 1999, the New York Jets, coached by Bill Parcells with defensive coordinator Bill Belichick, selected defensive end John Abraham, who later amassed a prolific sack total and helped the team reach the AFC Championship in 2000. The Buffalo Bills’ 2026 draft plan, emphasizing multiple late-round picks for defensive depth, echoes that successful depth-first strategy.

1 of 4

Beane Drafts Depth

Bills GM Brandon Beane traded out of the first round and made ten selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He selected edge rusher T.J. Parker (Clemson) at No. 35 and cornerback Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State) at No. 62 in the second round.
Analysts noted the draft emphasized defensive depth, featured few offensive splash picks, relied on later-round quantity, and received grades from D+ to A.

1 / 4