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Every team is excited about their incoming class of rookies, but how will those new players affect each team in 2026?
Let's look at the Buffalo Bills, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from their class while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Buffalo Bills 2026 Draft Class: Which Rookies Will Make an Impact?
Buffalo traded out of the first round before selecting T.J. Parker (second round) and adding to the depth on the defensive line. Parker tends to win with his strength and converts speed to power well, which fits the profile of the type of pass rusher Buffalo has built around under Brandon Beane. While this fits Buffalo’s profile, it’s also worth noting the team does not have a great track record of developing these types of players, with only Greg Rousseau really hitting. Parker’s inconsistent production at Clemson, especially against top competition, was the primary reason he fell out of the first round despite impressive traits.
The selection of Davison Igbinosun (second round) was likely a best-available decision because Buffalo already had five cornerbacks under contract through at least the 2027 season. However, last year’s first-round pick, Maxwell Hairston, who was considered a reach at the time, struggled in limited playing time, so perhaps this selection is a sign that Hairston is already falling out of favor. Igbinosun was a four-year starter at Ole Miss and Ohio State and allowed a catch rate at least 20% below expected in each of the last four seasons. For comparison, during his two years as a starter at Kentucky, Hairston allowed a catch rate 1.5% above expected. So, unlike the talented but unproven Hairston last year, there’s reason to believe Igbinosun is ready to jump into an immediate role.
Jude Bowry (fourth round) played left tackle in college but will probably provide depth at both guard and tackle. Bowry is a good athlete and only made 23 starts in college, partially due to injuries, so Buffalo likely sees some upside and will try to develop him into a future starter. Ar'maj Reed-Adams (seventh round) will also provide depth on the offensive line and will try to make the roster as a backup guard. With 39 starts across six years at Kansas and Texas A&M, it is hard to consider him a developmental prospect, so Buffalo likely believes he can bring some immediate value in terms of depth.
Skyler Bell (fourth round) has some playmaking ability after the catch, but the issue is getting him to catch the ball first. In 2024 at UConn, Bell had a route-adjusted catch rate 13% below expected, one of the worst rates in the country. UConn wanted to get the ball in his hands, though, so the team simply stopped asking him to run routes downfield. In 2025, Bell made 40% of his catches on screens 一 the route with the highest average catch rate 一 a massive leap from his 13% rate the previous year. Expect Buffalo to use Bell in the same way, as a gadget weapon who can do some damage on screens but not much else.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr (fourth round) is an athletic off-ball linebacker who will have a chance to compete for playing time with Dorian Williams, who enters the final year of his contract. He can provide immediate value on passing downs due to his range in coverage and production on blitzes (22% pressure rate in 2025). Jalon Kilgore (fifth round) was available much later than expected and could prove to be a steal for Buffalo. He’s a big nickel corner who might push Dee Alford for immediate playing time, especially if coordinator Jim Leonhard decides he values Kilgore’s size and ability to step up against the run. Based on route-adjusted data, Kilgore allowed a catch rate 32% below expected last year at South Carolina under defensive backs coach Torrian Gray, who has developed a reputation for churning out NFL prospects.
Zane Durant (fifth round) is an athletic interior lineman who has some potential as a pass rusher in sub packages but likely lacks the strength to play on early downs. Buffalo is expected to use a lot of three-man fronts in Leonhard’s defense, and Durant lacks the length to play a defensive end role in that scheme, which might make it difficult for him to consistently get on the field. Toriano Pride Jr. (seventh round) is a former four-star recruit at Clemson who saw significant action as a true freshman, but never fully developed and closed out his career at Missouri. Tommy Doman (seventh round) will be expected to win the punter’s job, but it was a mildly surprising selection after a mediocre career at Florida and Michigan.
Buffalo landed some intriguing prospects with the potential to develop into starters, but it was surprising to see a team hoping to finally break through and win the AFC not make more of a splash in terms of immediate-impact players. This should turn into a decent class down the road, but it likely doesn’t make a significant impact on Buffalo’s 2026 season.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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