First-round shock scenarios for the Buffalo Bills with the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft just days away
The Buffalo Bills and general manager Brandon Beane really need to nail their draft selections in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Here are some shocking scenarios that could play out for Buffalo on one of the most important weekends in all of sports. Let’s get after it.
The 2026 NFL Draft is just days away, with general manager Brandon Beane really needing a solid draft. Perhaps this could be the most important draft to date for Beane and company, with plenty of holes on the roster heading into a pivotal season.
With the first round set to begin in just over 24 hours, we wanted to do an exercise with some shocking first-round scenarios Buffalo could find itself in. These are just speculations, and some of them may not be the most earth-shattering of decisions.
Nevertheless, here’s how we see the first-round shaking out for Buffalo on Thursday with the No. 26 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Nothing is guaranteed in life except for death and taxes, but there’s a good chance that some of these scenarios could be playing out.
Trading out of round one
Perhaps the biggest shock scenario for Buffalo would be one that the fan base is hoping that the team takes. With no second-round selections, Buffalo could be looking to trade out of the first round entirely. It wouldn’t be the first time that Beane has done this.
Beane had said the team has on the “lower end” of first-round grades, and with them selecting at No. 26, if the board doesn’t fall the way they want it to, don’t be surprised if the team trades down to get some more draft ammunition. The team lost its second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in a trade with the Chicago Bears for wide receiver DJ Moore. Getting some of those picks back could be Beane’s main focus on night one.
Trading WR Keon Coleman
Despite head coach Joe Brady being adamant that Coleman is part of the team’s long-term plans, another shock scenario we could see playing out on draft night is the Bills trading away their upcoming third-year wide receiver. If the price is right, it may be too difficult not to say goodbye to the disgruntled pass catcher.
He’s had his fair share of issues during his tenure with Buffalo, being disciplined on more than one occasion, that’s seen him forced off the field. If Buffalo finds a buyer where they can stockpile picks and move on from the headache that Coleman has been, don’t be shocked if they accept the trade and move onward.
However, if the team were to do that, don’t be surprised if they take more than one wide receiver in the draft to help flesh out that room specifically.
Bills trade up in the draft
Perhaps the most shocking scenario that could take place in the 2026 NFL Draft is if the Bills were to trade up in the first round.
We’ve well documented that the team has no second-round selections, and to move up would cost a king’s ransom, depending on how far the team moves up. If there’s a player Beane has to have, he’s shown that he would be willing to do exactly that: trade up to go get him.
Whether it’s a stud defensive tackle, linebacker, or wide receiver, if the board isn’t falling and Buffalo wants to take a risk on a guy, they could use some of their draft ammunition and potentially a player to move up to select their guy on Thursday.
Mock draft had Bills Mafia scratching their heads
Ben Solak from ESPN got some heat with his mock draft, where he had Buffalo doing exactly that for wide receiver Denzel Boston. Boston is a stud, but it would be ill-advised for the organization to mortgage their future on a guy that isn’t a sure thing.
At the end of the day, that’s what makes this draft so fascinating, and frankly, so nerve-wracking for Bills Mafia.
Beane has options, but none of them come without risk. Whether it’s trading back to recoup picks, moving on from a polarizing piece like Coleman, or making a bold, aggressive jump up the board, every path carries consequences that could shape the trajectory of this team for years to come.
With a roster that still has holes and a championship window that won’t stay open forever, Buffalo can’t afford to get this wrong. One move, just one, could be the difference between finally breaking through or falling short yet again.
Now, all that’s left to do is see which gamble Beane is willing to take when the clock starts ticking on draft night.
