The 2026 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and for the Buffalo Bills, it represents a pivotal moment. With new head coach Joe Brady getting his first opportunity to shape the roster through the draft, and a shift to a 3-4 defense under coordinator Jim Leonhard, the Bills' seven picks carry significant weight. General Manager Brandon Beane must find players who can contribute immediately, especially with only two selections in the coveted top 100.
In a recent seven-round mock draft from The Athletic's Dane Brugler, the Bills' strategy comes into focus. The projection kicks off with Buffalo addressing a critical need on defense. With the move to a 3-4 scheme, the team is seeking a specific physical prototype for its edge rushers, and Brugler has them selecting UCF's Tre'Mon Morris-Brash.
Morris-Brash, a First-Team All-Big 12 performer, fits the bill perfectly. At 6'3" and 254 pounds, he possesses the size and explosiveness that Leonhard's system demands. His impressive final college season—featuring 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks—highlights his ability to disrupt plays. His speed, bend, and flexibility would provide a dynamic complement to Greg Rousseau, offering the consistent pass rush the Bills have been seeking to elevate their defensive pressure.
The mock draft then turns to the offensive line, a perennial area of focus for any team with Super Bowl aspirations. Here, Brugler projects the Bills to pick offensive tackle Jalen Farmer. Praised for his balanced skills in both pass protection and run blocking, Farmer represents a potential cornerstone to fortify the trenches and protect franchise quarterback Josh Allen for years to come.
While mock drafts are speculative by nature, this exercise underscores the Bills' clear priorities: injecting athleticism into their new defensive front and building a stronger, more reliable wall on the offensive line. Hitting on these early picks could be the key to a seamless transition under the new coaching staff and another run at the AFC crown.