2026 NFL Draft: Listing trade-up scenarios for the Buffalo Bills

Titan Up at No. 4 overall

General Manager of the Tennessee Titans Mike Borgonzi walks out of the tunnel before an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

If one of the top defenders is off the board for newly hired Tennessee head coach Robert Salah, might the Titans trade down? If so, how far? For Buffalo, the trade-up would have to be worth the haul as well.

If the Bills could go up and get the type of elite player on either side of the ball that other teams have to gameplan for, a trait which Beane has notably mentioned in the past, they might seek a deal.

That being said, the logic would be similar to that with the No. 3 pick. The Titans might benefit from the move, too, by adding more picks to a team that's still building.

Big Blue at No. 5 and No. 10 overall

New Giants Head Coach John Harbaugh holds up a New York Giants helmet during a press conference welcoming Harbaugh at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2025.

The Giants figure to be one of the teams taking a top talent at the fifth spot in the draft, though there's always the possibility they could move back if the players they want are off the board.

That might be a higher possibility at 10, as a defensive star makes sense for them with their first pick versus top RB Jeremiyah Love or a top receiver with their second selection.

With Love being a fit for Washington, who is slotted right in between the G-Men's two first-round picks, the second selection might especially be a pick that the Football Giants of New Jersey might listen to offers on.

Dawg Pound at No. 6 overall

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JANUARY 04: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after breaking the NFL single-season sack record during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

The Browns may be looking to add some draft capital to add talent to round out their roster, as cap-friendly rookie deals are more conducive to where they are roster and payroll-wise.

It may be just as likely that they pick here, but if Buffalo sees the right player and makes the right offer, their neighbors to the southwest might strike up a deal.

Who Dat at No. 8 overall

Nov 9, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) on the field before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

NOLA has position needs similar to some of Buffalo's, and with DE Rueben Bain Jr. or wide receivers Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson potentially still on the board, they could select one.

Then again, if talent like that is on the board, Buffalo might pick up the phone to make an offer.

The Fish at No. 11 and 30 overall

Nov 16, 2025; Madrid, Spain; Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) reacts after a play against the Washington Commanders in the fourth quarter during the 2025 NFL Madrid Game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Miami appeared to be reluctant to do business at the trade deadline with its division rival. And now the Bills signed away their linebacker.

That being said, they are a franchise and roster in transition as they seek to rebuild, and to that end, could benefit from adding more picks so they can bundle and move up their earlier round selections to begin replacing the holes at key positions... Or they might draft QB Ty Simpson if he's available.

If there is a difference-maker the Bills want who is still on the board, and if the Dolphins believe their best interest is to move back, there might be a conversation worth having about the No. 11 overall selection.

Detroit Rock City at No. 17 overall

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell shakes hands with center Frank Ragnow (77) warm up before the game between Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024.

If the Bills do make a big jump up the board, this one could make the most sense for both teams. There is likely to be a run of blue-chip prospect selections in and around the top 10 of the NFL Draft, followed by a run on offensive linemen after that due to the talent dropoff at the position beyond the top prospects.

That may put a player in range that the Bills like, who might slide in this range; Detroit could be a trade partner. They are also one spot ahead of the Minnesota Vikings, who might take elite safety prospect and potential Bills target Dillon Thieneman, out of Oregon.

Bolts at No. 22 overall

May 7, 2025; El Segundo CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh during press conference at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Sometimes Beane gets a little antsy and jumps ahead a few spots to secure a player the draft room wants to pick.

If that's the case this time around, a team to watch for a swap to make a short hop would be the Chargers, who are tied with the Falcons for the second-fewest picks in the draft (5).

Dirty Birds at No. 48 overall

Dec 11, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) celebrates with safety Jessie Bates III (3) and cornerback Cobee Bryant (37) after intercepting a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Falcons also don't have a first-round pick and are trying to make improvements after some organizational and roster personnel changes. They are also tied with the aforementioned for the least amount of picks in the draft and could use some more selections to improve their roster.

They are also one of the teams with the least amount of picks in 2027, so the Bills may be an ideal trade partner.

Since the Bills gave up their second-rounder in the D.J. Moore trade, and the Falcons are perched at the 16th selection in Round 2, the two clubs could make for good trade partners to get Buffalo another pick in the top 100 to address a key positional need.

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Listing trade-up scenarios for the Buffalo Bills