Grade the Bills’ moves during Round 1 of 2026 NFL Draft

TL;DR

The Buffalo Bills opted not to select any players in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft, trading back multiple times instead. They moved from pick 26 to 35, gaining additional picks in the process.

Key points

Buffalo Bills did not select players in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft
The team traded back three times, moving from pick 26 to 35
They acquired additional picks in the process, totaling several new selections

Buffalo BillsLos Angeles ChargersChicago BearsLas Vegas Raiders

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 23: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills reacts in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images *Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bills fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.* At the end of another long evening of NFL Draft coverage, the Buffalo Bills decided the best move was to select no one in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Instead, president of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane coveted the value of trading back several times. It’s a situation many had predicted for Buffalo, believing it to be their best option based on team needs at edge rusher, linebacker, defensive tackle, and even cornerback. Following those moves to trade out of Round 1, the Bills are +1000 to win the Super Bowl, +500 to win the AFC overall, and -135 to win the AFC East, per FanDuel Sportsbook. Similar to Sean McDermott’s first go at the draft, first-time head coach Joe Brady also stood down. Unlike McDermott, whose first pick was cornerback Tre’Davious White later in Round 1, Brady won’t have a first-round pick on his rookie resume to analyze. Yet unlike requisite years of on-field data required to properly analyze and dissect any player drafted, it’s a bit easier to look back at trades involving pick opportunities. So where does that leave Rumblers following the Bills’ decision to trade back three separate times? In total, those three trades back (from 26 to 28, then back to 31, and finally out of Round 1 to pick 35 overall), only shuffled the Bills back nine spots from their original slot. In the process, they turned picks 26, 91, and 165 into picks 35, 66, 101, 125, and 167 in this year’s draft. For reference, here’s what the Bills have after passing out of Round 1 altogether: Pick 35 (via trade) (Round 2, Pick 3) Pick 66 (via trade) (Round 3, Pick 2) Pick 101 (via trade) (Round 4, Pick 1) Pick 125 (via pre-draft trade w/Chicago Bears) (Round 4, Pick 25 Pick 126 (Round 4, Pick 26) Pick 167 (via trade) (Round 5, Pick 27) Pick 168 (Round 5, Pick 28) Pick 182 (via pre-draft trade w/Las Vegas for ) (Round 6, Pick 1) Pick 220 (via pre-draft trade w/New York for ) (Round 7, Pick 4) So tell us Rumblers, how would you grade the Bills’ decision to trade down three times and eventually out of the first round? Vote now! !

Q&A

Why did the Buffalo Bills trade out of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Bills traded out of the first round to accumulate more valuable draft picks, believing it was the best strategy based on their team needs.

What picks did the Buffalo Bills acquire by trading down in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Bills traded down to acquire picks 35, 66, 101, 125, 167, and others, moving back nine spots from their original position.

What are the Buffalo Bills' odds to win the Super Bowl after the 2026 NFL Draft?

Following their draft strategy, the Bills are +1000 to win the Super Bowl, +500 to win the AFC, and -135 to win the AFC East.

Grade the Bills’ moves during Round 1 of 2026 NFL Draft

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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