The Buffalo Bills are focusing on strengthening their defensive line in the 2026 NFL Mock Draft, with Kayden McDonald from Ohio State being a key prospect. The team aims to overcome past playoff disappointments and enhance their performance.
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 31:: Kayden McDonald #98 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half of the College Football Playoff Quarter Final Game at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) | Getty Images
No one does heartbreak like the Buffalo Bills. Iâll spare you a rehash of the four consecutive Super Bowl losses. If the name Scott Norwood isnât familiar, go watch the 30 for 30 doc âThe Four Falls of Buffalo.â Itâs excellent.
More recently, Josh Allen and Sean McDermott returned the franchise to contention, only to pile more heartbreak on the pitiable people of Buffalo. Every year, this team finds a new way to blow it: Porous defense surrendering a lead in the final 13 seconds at KC, the offense going cold at home, the refs making bad calls and questionable spots, and, of course, kickers missing kicks.
And whatever that was last year when Brandin Cooks seemingly made a catch in the divisional round in Denver that would have positioned the Bills for a game-winning field goal in overtime, only to lose possession of the ball and have it ruled an interception. (That was followed by a questionable pass interference call that aided the Broncos). Who are we kidding, though, even if Cooks had caught it â and Iâm not totally certain it wasnât a catch â theyâd probably miss the field goal anyway.
To top it off, Bo Nix got hurt on Denverâs final drive, clearing the way for New England, of all teams, to reach the Super Bowl.
What this franchise truly needs is better karma. Since thatâs not on the draft board, letâs look at the team needs we can fill.
Following last seasonâs disastrous end â and as they move into a new stadium â itâs a huge year for the Bills. You can feel this era of success starting to slip away. Allen turns 30 next month, going into his 9th season, and the team has yet to even reach the Super Bowl with him.
Kayden McDonald is a defensive tackle from Ohio State, and he is considered a significant prospect for the Buffalo Bills as they aim to bolster their defensive line in the upcoming draft.
The Buffalo Bills have faced several playoff challenges, including four consecutive Super Bowl losses and recent heartbreaking defeats, such as losing a lead in the final moments of games.
The 2026 NFL Mock Draft impacts the Buffalo Bills' strategy by highlighting potential players like Kayden McDonald, which could help them address weaknesses in their defense and improve their chances in future playoffs.
Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills need to strengthen their defensive line to prevent late-game collapses and enhance their overall team performance.
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The urgency the front office feels is clear from the offseason decisions. They finally moved on from McDermott, replacing him with OC Joe Brady, signed edge Bradley Chubb, and made Christmas come early for the Bears by trading a 2nd-round pick for declining D.J. Moore and his bloated contract.
One area left largely unaddressed was their most glaring weakness â run defense. They allowed an atrocious 5.1 yards per carry, third worst in the league. The Billsâ defense was pushed around last season, especially by their rival from Foxboro. TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson will likely gash this team unless the Bills add more talent and physicality to the front seven.
So I went into this mock draft looking for BPA at defensive tackle, edge and linebacker.
The best edges and linebackers are already gone. Some experts have mocked Georgia linebacker CJ Allen to the Bills at No. 26, but, from what Iâve read, he seems to lack the elite athleticism youâd ideally want in a first-rounder.
The Bills also need help at guard, and, as ever, could use a big-play wide receiver, unless Moore bounces back at age 29. I considered Omar Cooper Jr. and KC Concepcion. But with the draftâs best interior run defender still on the board, letâs not overthink it.
The Pick:
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
McDonald measured 6-2, 326 pounds at the combine and had a breakout year for Ohio State in 2025 at age 20. Heâs a violent player on the interior. One writeup said he ârattles pads wth his initial contact,â and thatâs evident on film. McDonaldâs highlights are full of him destroying run plays by knocking 300-pound dudes two yards into the backfield.
He stonewalls guards and centers at the line of scrimmage, can locate the ball carrier, shed the block and make the tackle. He had 65 tackles in 14 games last season as a NT, which is impressive. McDonald wonât earn his living initially by rushing the QB, but he can push the pocket and get a few cleanup sacks (three of them last year).
McDonald started just one season in Columbus, and NFL linemen will surely expose his inexperience at times. But heâs a young, ascending player who should continue to improve.
Moreover, Buffalo needs help at nose tackle. Deone Walker, a 4th rounder in 2025, had a nice rookie campaign and certainly looks the part of a run-stuffer, at 6-7, 330 pounds. But some Bills fans have their doubts about Walkerâs ability to anchor inside. That he started 16 games last year for a team with horrid run defense lends credence to those concerns.
Pairing McDonald and Walker with second-year TJ Sanders as a 3-tech, along with Greg Rousseau and Chubb gives Buffalo the makings of a pretty decent front.
The Bills return most key players from a top-five offense. With Brady still calling plays, theyâll score points. The secondary is in good shape. But this team was bullied too often last year and its top division rival employs a power running game. They really could use McDonaldâs pad-rattling physicality. If heâs on the board at No. 26, heâs the pick.
Now itâs YOUR TURN to vote for who you think should be selected with this pick.