The Buffalo Bills lost in the divisional round of the 2026 playoffs, this time falling to the Denver Broncos, 33-30, in truly heartbreaking fashion.

The Bills need to take a good, long look in the mirror in the offseason at how they operate internally and make several changes across the board to their slow-to-change philosophy and talent-evaluation process. The roster’s needs have remained the same for years, and the team has consistently whiffed on several evaluations at key spots. If they want to get over the playoff hump, changes must be made.

How can they do that in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft?

Buffalo Bills 2026 7-round mock draft

Round 1, Pick 26: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

It’s about time the Bills added a premier wide receiver to this offense and put an end to the patchwork job they always seem to do. The team needs someone to help open up the vertical passing game and can do damage after the catch.

KC Concepcion is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Bills, with speed to burn and good change-of-direction ability to make defenders miss in the open field. Despite his size, he’s crafty at working against press coverage with his releases. He might not boast a large frame, but he has the ability to be the big-play threat the Bills’ offense desperately needs more of.

I reached out to A to Z Sports Buffalo Bills writer Adam Zientek for input about the Bills’ need at wide receiver.

“The Buffalo Bills could desperately use some help at wide receiver. As was evident in their divisional-round loss to the Denver Broncos and has been the case all season, Buffalo is lacking a deep threat and a true No. 1 to pair with quarterback Josh Allen. General manager Brandon Beane has seemingly avoided bringing in some key help for Allen through the draft, but that changes in 2026.

“There is no more room for excuses, and no reason that the ghost of Brandin Cooks should be one of the main targets on offense once 2026 rolls around. Buffalo needs a big change to the receiving room, and that begins with Concepcion.

“He’s the prototypical deep threat option with sure hands, and could come into Buffalo and make an immediate difference with Allen. The wide receiver corps should see some sweeping changes coming into next season, and it begins in the draft. Buffalo asked Allen to overcome the same problem all season: win without a receiver who scares the defense.

“The formula finally broke down in Denver, and it underscored just how badly this roster needs a legitimate No. 1 option. Too often, Allen was forced to play hero ball, compensation for a lack of separation and explosive playmaking on the outside. When it mattered most, the deficiency was impossible to ignore; Buffalo simply didn’t have a receiver who could tilt coverage or change the game.”

Round 2, Pick 60: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State

The Bills have needed to add a strong space-eater to the middle of their defense for years, and preferably one on the right side of 30. Domonique “Big Citrus” Orange is a stout, explosive mammoth of a human being up front.

While he’ll get typecast as a pure nose tackle because of his size, Orange has some surprising quickness and change of direction ability for a big man, suggesting some intriguing pass rush upside. Add that on top of his elite run defending ability, and Orange could be the missing piece the Bills’ defensive line needs.

Round 3, Pick 91: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF

Joey Bosa was an effective option opposite Greg Rousseau this season, but he is an expiring free agent and will turn 31-years-old next season. The Bills need to expand their depth in the pass rush room, even if they bring Bosa back, so they can rotate and keep their stars at the top fresh.

Malachi Lawrence is a toolsy, high-upside pass-rush prospect. While he might not be a strong run defender and may never be that, he can be a strong DPR as the third EDGE in their rotation to help spell Rousseau and keep defenders off balance with his very good use of hands and burst.

Round 4, Pick 126: TJ Hall, CB, Iowa

We’ll see what happens with Tre’Davious White’s status, as he emerged as a starter opposite Christian Benford on the outside, but the Bills drafted Maxwell Hairston in the first round to eventually have him there outside, and White is a pending free agent. With or without him, the Bills need more competitive depth at cornerback.

Hall would be a seamless fit in Buffalo’s zone scheme, and he has inside-outside versatility that will help him stick on a roster as a versatile backup.

Round 5, Pick 166: Louis Moore, S, Indiana

Cole Bishop is obviously the team’s star safety after his breakout season in 2025, but the rest of the safety room is less settled and has multiple free agents set to hit the market.

Moore isn’t a name with much NFL steam due to his age, but he has an intriguing skill set as a ballhawk who can play deep or in the box. I have a feeling he can stick around in sub-packages and on special teams with his combination of range and versatility.

Round 7, Pick 220 (via NYJ): Owen Heinecke, LB, Oklahoma

With Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson aging and set to hit free agency, there’s a good chance Buffalo’s linebacker room looks different heading into next season. They could be in the market to spruce up this room.

Heinecke is an energizer-bunny type of player who spent most of his time with the Sooners as a special-teams ace before breaking out in 2025. He might not ever be a consistent NFL starter, but he would boost the speed of the Bills’ linebacker room significantly and could rotate in for sub-packages on top of being a strong special teamer.

Round 7, Pick 228: Brandon Cleveland, DT, NC State

The Bills are set to have all of Jordan Phillips, DaQuan Jones, Larry Ogunjobi, and Phidarian Mathis hit free agency, opening up over 1,000 snaps from the interior of their defensive line.

While they might bring back one or two, they should use one of their two seventh-rounders to plug the bottom of the rotation here.

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