With the clock set to the 35th pick, the Bills are positioned to re-enter the board quickly. NFL insider Albert Breer identifies two potential targets for Buffalo at that spot if they stay put: Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald and Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell. Both players are viewed as fits for Buffalo’s defensive emphasis under new coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Breer notes that Buffalo’s strategic maneuvering at 26—trading down to accumulate multiple selections while preserving a favorable board—drives the current roster-building approach. The Bills now hold a broader slate of picks (including a second-round and multiple Day 3 selections) and have the flexibility to target players who can contribute on defense.
As Buffalo shapes its draft plan, emphasis is likely to remain on defense, aligning with the team’s offseason moves, including the acquisition of wide receiver DJ Moore. The organization appears to be prioritizing players who can reinforce the defensive front and secondary, potentially at the 35th overall pick.
Overall, Buffalo’s Day 2 strategy centers on adding high-upside defensive talent who can adapt to new schemes under Leonhard, with McDonald and Howell highlighted as two viable options should they stay at 35. The Bills’ draft outlook continues to reflect a focus on long-term defensive development alongside immediate roster depth.
