Buffalo Bills' NFL Draft Tracker: Updating Picks, Trades and Instant Grades

The Buffalo Bills entered the 2026 NFL Draft with seven selections in their holster, the first being the No. 26 overall pick on Thursday night in Pittsburgh.

“I'm going to have it ranked 1 to 26, like, no matter how the board falls. And no, I don't have anywhere near 26 first-round grades. So, that means I'm going into the second round," said Bills' general manager Brandon Beane on Monday. "I'm going to have it ranked, ready to go, and we'll be ready no matter what. Again, we'll make decisions whether we think trade up, take the pick, or trade back."

Beane took full advantage of the opportunity to trade down in Round 1 and acquire more picks, making three trades as the Bills moved out of the first round altogether. Buffalo also recouped the second-rounder that it sent to the Carolina Panthers for wide receiver DJ Moore.

The Bills ended the night with nine selections left to make over the course of Days 2 and 3. Buffalo is slated to make its first pick on Friday night in Round 2 at No. 35 overall.

In addition to the deals on opening night, another trade seems likely somewhere along the way. Last year, the Bills traded up in Round 2 for South Carolina defensive tackle TJ Sanders before moving up again on Day 3 to draft Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker early in Round 4.

With what promises to be a busy three days, we'll track all Bills' moves right here.

And Beane does it a third time

The Bills will not make a first-round selection in 2026 as Beane made a third trade to move out of Round 1 entirely.

After two deals, Buffalo held the No. 31 overall selection with Beane apparently keeping his line open. Around 10:55 p.m. ET, it was announced that the Bills and the Tennessee Titans agreed on a three-for-three deal.

While the Bills moved down into Round 2 at No. 35 overall, they moved up three spots in Round 3 (69 to 66) and swapped a fifth-rounder (No. 165) in exchange for the first pick in Round 4 (No. 101).

In 2024, Buffalo moved from No. 28 overall to No. 32 and subsquently to the first pick in Round 2. With the No. 33 overall selection that year, the Bills drafted wide receiver Keon Coleman.

Buffalo trades down again, stays in Round 1

After sliding down two spots to No. 28 overall, the Bills made a deal with the AFC East rival New England Patriots.

Buffalo sent the No. 28 pick to New England in exchange for No. 31 overall and a fourth-rounder (No. 125).

Bills trade down two spots

After the Chicago Bears took Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 25 overall, the Bills traded first-round picks with the Houston Texans.

Buffalo sent the No. 26 overall selection along with a third-rounder (No. 91 overall) to the Texans for the No. 28 overall selection, an early third-rounder (No. 69) and a fifth-rounder (No. 167).

Sabres win in regulation, allow focus shift to Bills' first-round pick

The Buffalo Sabres wrapped up their Game 3 road victory over the Boston Bruins well before 10 p.m. ET with the Bills' first-round selection still 10 picks away.

In the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 15 years, the Sabres are currently the hottest story in Western New York sports. Had the game, which was tied at 1-1 going into the third period, needed overtime, then it would have almost definitely overlapped with the Bills' pick.

2026 Bills' draft picks

Round 2 — No. 35 overall (from Titans)

Round 3 — No. 66 overall (from Titans)

Round 4 — No. 101 overall (from Titans)

Round 4 — No. 125 overall (from Patriots)

Round 4 — No. 126 overall

Round 5 — No. 167 overall (from Texans)

Round 5 — No. 168 overall

Round 6 — No. 182 (from Raiders)

Round 7 — No. 220 (from Jets)

Bills' top draft needs

Edge rusher, Inside linebacker, Cornerback, Defensive tackle

While Buffalo could use a few depth pieces of offense, the focus of this draft appears to be defense.

With new coordinator Jim Leonhard presiding over a defensive reset, the Bills will seemingly target players who fit the multiple 3-4 scheme.

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