In an early Pro Football Focus mock draft, Dalton Wasserman projected Buffalo to use the No. 26 overall pick on Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen, a move designed to inject speed, instincts, and run-defensive prowess into a unit that struggled during the 2025 season.
Wasserman noted that Buffalo could have openings this offseason, with veteran Matt Milano potentially departing as his contract voids and Terrel Bernard still developing. Allen’s presence would address run defense, where he boasts an 88.6 run-defense grade, even as coverage remains a growth area.
Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder echoed the assessment, calling Allen a standout athlete with the versatility to cover tight ends and running backs in man or zone schemes. Holder praised his hand-eye coordination, speed to carry receivers, and ability to disrupt plays, while also highlighting his potential to bolster Buffalo’s weak run defense.
With McDermott out, the defensive coordinator role is expected to change hands, with Jim Leonhard among the top candidates to replace him. Leonhard’s background as a former Bills safety and his willingness to adapt schemes—typically running a hybrid 3-4 but capable of adjusting to personnel—underscore a broader strategic shift for Buffalo.
Overall, the Bills’ offseason plan appears to center on a directional shift on defense: a first-round linebacker as part of a broader personnel and scheme overhaul, a potential new coordinator, and a philosophy focused on leveraging athleticism and adaptability to maximize younger talent on the roster.
