Bills news: Scouting edge rushers and defensive linemen in 2026 NFL Draft

TL;DR

The Buffalo Bills are focusing on edge rushers and defensive linemen for the 2026 NFL Draft, with potential first-round picks including Cashius Howell and Kayden McDonald. The team aims to strengthen its defense under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.

Key points

Buffalo Bills focusing on defense for the 2026 NFL Draft
Cashius Howell is a top edge rusher prospect
Kayden McDonald is a leading defensive tackle candidate
Jim Leonhard is the new defensive coordinator
First-round pick is vital for the team's defensive strategy

Mentioned in this story

Jim Leonhard

Cashius HowellKayden McDonaldT.J. ParkerAkheem Mesidor

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 25: Cashius Howell #9 of the Texas A&M Aggies rushes past Weston Davis #75 of the LSU Tigers during the first half of a game at Tiger Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images) | Getty Images In their first year with Jim Leonhard in place as the defensive coordinator, there are sure to be changes to the Buffalo Bills’ defense, beginning with the 2026 NFL Draft, where the Bills could use their first-round selection to shore up their defense. Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by offering thoughts and observations on the best edge rusher and defensive tackle prospects in the draft, including Texas A&M pass rusher Cashius Howell (pictured below), who would bring speed and explosiveness to Buffalo’s defense.

Plenty of pass rushers, interior defensive linemen ready to make an impact

The edge rusher position has plenty of game-changing talents who should step in and contribute right away, while the interior defensive line group is one that has lots of potential but also a few prospects battling injury histories. Linked below: Breaking down the best edge rusher prospects in this year’s draft who could still be on the board when Buffalo picks at No. 26, a group that includes Howell, Clemson’s T.J. Parker, ’s , Oklahoma’s , Central Florida’s Malachi Lawrence, Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, Missouri’s Zion Young, and Michigan’s . As for the defensive tackles, that group of prospects who could still be available at the end of the first round includes Ohio State standout Kayden McDonald (pictured below), Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter, Clemson’s Peter Woods, and Georgia’s Christen Miller.

Q&A

Who are the top edge rusher prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft?

Top edge rusher prospects include Cashius Howell, T.J. Parker, and Akheem Mesidor, among others.

What defensive tackles could the Bills target in the 2026 NFL Draft?

Potential defensive tackle targets for the Bills include Kayden McDonald, Lee Hunter, and Peter Woods.

How will Jim Leonhard's hiring affect the Bills' defense in 2026?

Jim Leonhard's hiring as defensive coordinator is expected to bring significant changes to the Bills' defensive strategies and player selections.

What is the significance of the Bills' first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Bills' first-round pick is crucial for strengthening their defense, which is a priority for the team this draft season.