The Bills may have landed their next cornerstone piece in low-risk, high-reward move during the 2026 NFL Draft
The Buffalo Bills may have gotten the steal of the draft in the fifth round by selecting Jalon Kilgore from South Carolina. He’s far from a finished product, and only time will tell how things will actually shake out. He could be one of the most important additions to Jim Leonhard’s defense
The Buffalo Bills got busy during the 2026 NFL Draft, adding 10 players to the team in a weekend that was filled with trades. The Bills started off the fun by taking Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker with their first selection, and he wasted no time winning over the hearts of Bills Mafia with a special message for the organization. You love to see it.
For this exercise, we wanted to look at the lowest-risk, highest-reward possible for Buffalo with their selections, and we keep coming back to the team’s fifth-round selection in safety Jalon Kilgore.
Jalon Kilgore could be the steal of the draft for the Buffalo Bills
Before we jump into Kilgore’s role moving forward and what it could mean for the organization, we wanted to provide a recap of sorts so you could see all of the selections the team made during the 2026 NFL Draft. It was a busy weekend; we got you.
Round 2, Pick: 35: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Round 2, Pick 62: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
Round 4, Pick 102: Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College
Round 4, Pick 125: Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
Round 4, Pick 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU
Round 5, Pick 167: Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
Round 5, Pick 181: Zane Durant, DT, Penn State
Round 7, Pick 220: Toriano Pride Jr., CB, Missouri
Round 7: Pick 239: Tommy Doman, P, Florida
Round 7, Pick 241: Ar’maj Reed-Adams, G, Texas A&M
Now, back to Kilgore. This could wind up being the steal of the draft from where he was selected to what he’s able to do on the football field when things truly matter. He’s going to have an uphill battle to begin with, fighting for a roster spot with the likes of Jordan Hancock, Cole Bishop, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Geno Stone all locked in with the team.
That, and with his ability to play more of a hybrid role, he could be the long-term answer for the Taron Johnson replacement. The Bills need that nickel cornerback safety hybrid type player, and Kilgore could fit that perfectly.
Kilgore flashed his athletic abilities in college
After watching his college tape, Kilgore really impressed us with his athletic abilities. We have a feeling he’ll not only be the steal of the draft, but could wind up being the starting safety alongside Cole Bishop after not too long. Gardner-Johnson is essentially a one-year rental, so Buffalo needs to address that position in the long term, and I think that they did that with the addition of Kilgore.
Or, he could just wind up being a crucial chess piece, much like Johnson was with his time in Buffalo. The sky is the limit for this kid, and Jim Leonhard can utilize him in a variety of ways with the new defensive scheme. Only time will tell where he actually lines up.
Kilgore was a monster in college and fell right into Buffalo’s lap during the 2026 NFL Draft
He’s part linebacker, part safety, part slot; he does a little bit of everything for the defense. He ran a 4.4 forty with 8 interceptions and 18 pass breakups in three seasons with the South Carolina Gamecocks. He was a projected third or fourth round pick, making his landing in Buffalo in the fifth round such a steal.
That’s not to say he’s a perfect prospect; he has his faults in his game. However, every player heading into the draft did. Kilgore feels like the new wave of a hybrid safety with the decision. For right now, he’s important depth, but we have a feeling that’s going to change down the road. Again, it’s overreaction season, so just bear with me.
With his background at the position, Jim Leonhard could very well use three safeties in his new scheme, and Kilgore could be the ultimate beneficiary of the recent defensive change. He has his work cut out for him, but for right now, we love the selection.
Brandon Beane needed a great draft class, and he may have nailed it
If this draft class ends up being remembered for anything, don’t be surprised if it’s because Buffalo found a difference-maker when nobody was looking. That’s how these things tend to go; it’s not always the first name called, but the one that keeps showing up on Sundays.
Kilgore has the tools, the versatility, and now the opportunity in a defense that’s begging for playmakers. If he puts it all together, it won’t just be a “nice value” pick; it’ll change how we look back on this entire draft class.
And if that happens, Bills Mafia won’t be talking about a solid weekend for Beane; they’ll be talking about the moment Buffalo quietly found its next impact starter when it mattered most.
