Bills looking to add some much-needed competition to a key area of concern ahead of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft
The Buffalo Bills might be looking to add some much-needed competition to the locker room. It’s been reported that the Buffalo Bills held a Zoom with Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley. Watch out, Mitch Wishnowsky, there could be a training camp battle to watch for.
The Buffalo Bills are doing everything they can to make sure they are prepared for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Bringing in players for virtual visits, attending workouts, general manager Brandon Beane is leaving no stone unturned.
It’s perhaps the most important draft of Beane’s tenure as the general manager. Put plainly, he really needs to nail the selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. Buffalo has several question marks on the roster that desperately need to be addressed.
While it’s not the most exciting prospect, Beane is looking to add some competition to the locker room. The punter position may not be locked down after all, after Buffalo signed punter Mitch Wishnowsky to a one-year deal.
It’s been reported that the Buffalo Bills held a Zoom with Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley. The team also reportedly met with Eckley at the combine. A name to watch on draft night, as Buffalo could use some competition in that room specifically.
The Buffalo Bills held a Zoom with Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley
Eckley is widely considered a top-2 punter heading into the draft. Buffalo could absolutely use his services despite picking up Wishnowsky on a one-year deal.
Punting wasn’t the best area for Buffalo in 2025. It’s something that they can use the draft to add some competition to that room in hopes of getting better as a whole.
It was a punter carousel in Buffalo in 2025. Cameron Johnston spent some time with the organization before the team brought on Wishnowsky.
The team also brought on Brad Robbins after the Week 1 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. However, his time with Buffalo was short-lived in favor of Wishnowsky.
Eckley checks all the boxes for Buffalo heading into the 2026 NFL Draft
Ryan Roberts from A to Z Sports broke down what Eckley brings to the table as a special teamer, and the Bills Mafia should be pounding the table for him to be one of the team’s official selections in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
“Ryan Eckley is widely considered to be a top-2 punter in the 2026 class, if not the very best of the group. Over the course of his three years as the main punter for the Spartans, Eckley averaged an impressive 47.6 yards per punt. At 6-2 and 207 pounds, Eckley is a well-built specialist with a ton of natural pop off his foot.
“With 67 punts over 50 yards during his career, and just seven touchbacks, he has demonstrated a ton of control despite having a bigger leg. He’s a clean punting prospect who should be a trusted asset for a team for the foreseeable future.” – Ryan Roberts
If the Bills truly want to tighten the screw on this roster heading into a make-or-break season, they can’t afford to overlook any phase of the game. Especially one that quietly swings field position every single week.
Whether it’s Wishnowsky holding down the job or a rookie like Eckley coming in and taking it. Don’t be surprised if Buffalo uses one of its picks to settle the position once and for all. Finally putting an end to the punter carousel that’s lingered far too long.
