Best available players for Bills on Day 2 of NFL Draft

Texas A&M's Cashius Howell (9) could be high-end edge rusher the Buffalo Bills need in 2026. He had 31 tackles and 11.5 sacks in 2025.

There were six edge rushers taken in the first round, but Howell was not one of them. It seems pretty clear why. His arm measurement at the scouting combine was revealed to be 30 ¼ inches, and historically speaking, that’s not good for edge rushers because NFL offensive tackles are usually long-armed and can get their hands on short-armed players more easily.

However, Howell would add the type of speed the Bills’ edge rusher group lacks, and now that we’re into the second round, the 2025 SEC defensive player of the year would be a better value pick.

The Bills’ edge/OLB depth chart includes Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb and Michael Hoecht, a solid threesome for sure, but all of them lack Howell’s speed. His 10-yard split at the combine was 1.58 seconds, tied for fastest among all edge rushers who tested with Ohio State’s Arvell Reese who went No. 5 to the Giants.

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Jacob Rodriguez is a great value pick in the second round if the Bills go that way.

Many draft analysts don’t see the value in taking an off ball linebacker in the first round, and sure enough, the only one picked was Ohio State’s Sonny Styles at No. 7 to the Commanders. Styles was far and away the best off ball prospect, but Rodriguez may be next, and now he’s an excellent value if the Bills pick him at No. 35.

I really don’t understand the logic of not taking a linebacker early, especially in Buffalo’s case. Right now, the Bills have Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams as their starting inside linebackers. Bernard is undersized and injury prone, Williams is a liability in coverage and heading into the last year of his contract, and both have been inconsistent performers.

Besides Styles, Rodriguez is arguably the most complete linebacker in this class. He made plays all over the field for Texas Tech and was so good that he won three national defensive player awards, was Big 12 defensive player of the year, first-team All-America, and finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Why is the first round too early for a player like that?

He needs to improve in coverage, but as Brady said recently, in today’s NFL you need linebackers who can do a little bit of everything, and that’s Rodriguez’s superpower.

1. Jake Golday, Cincinnati Bearcats: If he's still available late Friday night, and the Bills didn't grab a linebacker earlier, Brandon Beane should not hesitate to grab this guy.

Golday brings the type of versatility defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard would crave. At various points of his college career he's played as an outside linebacker, a middle linebacker, an edge rusher and even a slot defender.

Golday's got the size at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, plus the speed that saw him run the 40-yard dash in a decent for his size 4.62 seconds at the combine.

2. Josiah Trotter, Missouri Tigers: He may already be off the board by the time the Bills pick in Day 2, but you can’t ignore the bloodlines as his father, Jeremiah, was an All-Pro linebacker for the Eagles.

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Trotter is the quintessential thumper, similar to current Bills linebacker Dorian Williams, only younger.

But like Williams, Trotter needs to develop in pass coverage. Until he does, he's only an early-downs player.

3. Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU Horned Frogs: He had 130 tackles, 11 for lost yardage including four sacks in 2025.

Elarms-Orr's size (6-foot-2 and 234 pounds) will entice teams, and he could be a force on special teams as a rookie.

Elarms-Orr likely won't be a starter on day one. But he'll be a solid backup as he learns how to process the play that's unfolding in front of him.

4. Bryce Boettcher, Oregon Ducks: A 2022 walk on to the Ducks, this former two-sport star has been totally devoted to football since 2025.

Boettcher is a force against the run, even though he doesn’t have great size at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds. Expected to be a great special-teams player.

Boettcher played quarterback and safety for a Pop Warner team that was named the Buffalo Bills.

5. Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State Sun Devils: Elliott’s premier traits are his professional work ethic and leadership ability.

At 6-foot-1 and 233 pounds he’s not quite the athlete that Elarms-Orr and Boettcher are, but Elliott overcomes some of that with a motor that never quits.

Elliott is probably not going to push for a starting job as a rookie, but he’ll be a solid special teamer.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

1. Jake Golday, Cincinnati Bearcats: If he's still available late Friday night, and the Bills didn't grab a linebacker earlier, Brandon Beane should not hesitate to grab this guy.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

1. Jake Golday, Cincinnati Bearcats: If he's still available late Friday night, and the Bills didn't grab a linebacker earlier, Brandon Beane should not hesitate to grab this guy.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

Golday brings the type of versatility defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard would crave. At various points of his college career he's played as an outside linebacker, a middle linebacker, an edge rusher and even a slot defender.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

Golday's got the size at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, plus the speed that saw him run the 40-yard dash in a decent for his size 4.62 seconds at the combine.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

2. Josiah Trotter, Missouri Tigers: He may already be off the board by the time the Bills pick in Day 2, but you can’t ignore the bloodlines as his father, Jeremiah, was an All-Pro linebacker for the Eagles.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Trotter is the quintessential thumper, similar to current Bills linebacker Dorian Williams, only younger.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

But like Williams, Trotter needs to develop in pass coverage. Until he does, he's only an early-downs player.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

3. Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU Horned Frogs: He had 130 tackles, 11 for lost yardage including four sacks in 2025.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

Elarms-Orr's size (6-foot-2 and 234 pounds) will entice teams, and he could be a force on special teams as a rookie.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

Elarms-Orr likely won't be a starter on day one. But he'll be a solid backup as he learns how to process the play that's unfolding in front of him.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

4. Bryce Boettcher, Oregon Ducks: A 2022 walk on to the Ducks, this former two-sport star has been totally devoted to football since 2025.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

Boettcher is a force against the run, even though he doesn’t have great size at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds. Expected to be a great special-teams player.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

Boettcher played quarterback and safety for a Pop Warner team that was named the Buffalo Bills.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

5. Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State Sun Devils: Elliott’s premier traits are his professional work ethic and leadership ability.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

At 6-foot-1 and 233 pounds he’s not quite the athlete that Elarms-Orr and Boettcher are, but Elliott overcomes some of that with a motor that never quits.

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5 linebackers the Bills could pick Day 2 who would make them better

Elliott is probably not going to push for a starting job as a rookie, but he’ll be a solid special teamer.

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

Ohio State's Kayden McDonald was at the draft in Pittsburgh Thursday but did not get picked.

Like linebackers, analysts also don’t think defensive tackles provide true first-round value. The two who were picked were Caleb Banks at No. 18 to Minnesota and Peter Woods at No. 29 to the Chiefs, but they are both more 3-tech players.

Buffalo needs a nose tackle type player because its run defense was terrible in 2025 and there were several reasons for that. Bad tackling was a big issue at every level, but up front, the Bills were not well equipped as Ed Oliver missed most of the season, DaQuan Jones began to show his age, and the depth was awful as there were far too many snaps taken by Jordan Phillips, Zion Logue, Phidarian Mathis and Larry Ogunjobi.

Fixing the run defense is one of new coach Joe Brady’s biggest goals because, as he said, “If we stop the run, we’ll give Josh Allen the ball a few more times.” McDonald is the guy to do that. He’s a run-stuffing, double-team absorbing 325-pounder who can play early downs, short yardage and goal line, and while he’s not a great pass rusher, he can certainly push the pocket and perhaps develop as time goes on.

CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Some analysts had him as a late first-rounder, but most saw him going early in the second, so he should be in play at No. 35 because neither the 49ers or Cardinals are in need of an off ball linebacker.

Allen was a stud at Georgia where he played in many big-time games in the SEC, and Field Yates of ESPN thought he’d be a great pick for the Bills.

“Especially with a scheme shift where things might look a little bit different under a base 3-4, you might see size become more of a premium for the Bills at linebacker,” Yates said. “They’ve had some unbelievable success stories at linebacker, Matt Milano probably the most notable of a guy who you sacrifice size for speed, instincts and range. But going forward in a 3-4 scheme, a guy like CJ Allen from Georgia has excellent size, is a natural quarterback (for the defense).”

Anthony Hill, LB, Texas

It’s possible that picking him at No. 35 would be too early, but at No. 66 in the third round, there’s a chance he’d still be there, and he’d be a huge get in that range.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic wrote of Hill, “An impressive size-speed prospect, Hill brings athletic versatility to the field with his range versus the run, speed as a blitzer and change of direction in coverage. Though he shows a feel for play development around him, he is more of a decisive ‘see-ball, get-ball’ player than a defender who relies on anticipation. His stack-and-shed efficiency must improve, but he plays with the toughness to evade blocks, carom off contact and continue his pursuit.”

1. Ted Hurst, Georgia State Panthers: He caught 127 passes for 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns playing the last two seasons playing on a bad team.

At 6-foot-3 and 206 pounds, Hurst is an impressive athlete who ran a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash at the combine.

Hurst had 34 catches of at least 20 yards at Georgia State and is a dangerous catch-and-run receiver.

2. Elijah Sarratt, Indiana Hoosiers: He helped the Hoosiers win the national championship by catching an FBS-high 15 touchdown passes from Heisman Trophy winner and presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder lined up on the outside for more than 86% of his snaps, but he's not deep threat.

Sarratt is more of a possession receiver and his calling card is his sure hands with an ability to "catch everything in his ZIP code."

3. De'Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss Rebels: Across 56 career games with 55 starts he caught 216 passes for 2,963 yards and 23 touchdowns, and he did that playing mostly out wide.

Stribling (1) is considered a big-bodied athlete with strong ball skills and a pro mindset.

Stribling had just nine drops on 345 targets, though his contested catch rate of 45.7% is average, not great.

4. Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee Volunteers: There are varying opinions on the 6-foot-4, 198-pounder which is why his projections are anywhere from early second round all the way to early fourth round.

Brazzell had a breakout 2025 season when he caught 61 of 86 targets for 1,006 yards and nine TDs with only two drops.

But some question whether Brazzell's success in Tennessee's unusual passing scheme will translate in the NFL when things get much more condensed.

Bryce Lance, North Dakota State Bison: The 6-foot-3, 206-pounder tested off the charts at the combine, posting inside top 10 results in the 40, the 10-yard split and the short shuttle. His vertical jump of 41 ½ inches was 13th-best.

Lance could develop into a dynamic target who can stretch the field deep and after the catch.

Lance is the younger brother of QB Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 draft of the San Francisco 49ers.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

1. Ted Hurst, Georgia State Panthers: He caught 127 passes for 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns playing the last two seasons playing on a bad team.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

1. Ted Hurst, Georgia State Panthers: He caught 127 passes for 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns playing the last two seasons playing on a bad team.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

At 6-foot-3 and 206 pounds, Hurst is an impressive athlete who ran a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash at the combine.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

Hurst had 34 catches of at least 20 yards at Georgia State and is a dangerous catch-and-run receiver.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

2. Elijah Sarratt, Indiana Hoosiers: He helped the Hoosiers win the national championship by catching an FBS-high 15 touchdown passes from Heisman Trophy winner and presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder lined up on the outside for more than 86% of his snaps, but he's not deep threat.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

Sarratt is more of a possession receiver and his calling card is his sure hands with an ability to "catch everything in his ZIP code."

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

3. De'Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss Rebels: Across 56 career games with 55 starts he caught 216 passes for 2,963 yards and 23 touchdowns, and he did that playing mostly out wide.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

Stribling (1) is considered a big-bodied athlete with strong ball skills and a pro mindset.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

Stribling had just nine drops on 345 targets, though his contested catch rate of 45.7% is average, not great.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

4. Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee Volunteers: There are varying opinions on the 6-foot-4, 198-pounder which is why his projections are anywhere from early second round all the way to early fourth round.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

Brazzell had a breakout 2025 season when he caught 61 of 86 targets for 1,006 yards and nine TDs with only two drops.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

But some question whether Brazzell's success in Tennessee's unusual passing scheme will translate in the NFL when things get much more condensed.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

Bryce Lance, North Dakota State Bison: The 6-foot-3, 206-pounder tested off the charts at the combine, posting inside top 10 results in the 40, the 10-yard split and the short shuttle. His vertical jump of 41 ½ inches was 13th-best.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

Lance could develop into a dynamic target who can stretch the field deep and after the catch.

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5 WRs the Buffalo Bills could pick on Day 2 who would make them better

Lance is the younger brother of QB Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 draft of the San Francisco 49ers.

Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for more than four decades including 37 years as the full-time beat writer/columnist for the D&C. He has written numerous books about the history of the team, and he is also co-host of the BLEAV in Bills podcast/YouTube show. He can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com, and you can follow him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Buffalo Bills best available players for Day 2 of the NFL Draft