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The Buffalo Bills face uncertainty in their first-round draft strategy as they prepare for the upcoming NFL draft. With key wide receiver prospects gone early, it's unclear how GM Brandon Beane will approach the 2024 draft.
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Unlike the previous two NFL drafts when there was a strong consensus regarding what the Buffalo Bills were going to do in the first round, your guess is as good as mine or your neighbors as to which way Brandon Beane will go Thursday night when the festivities get underway in Pittsburgh.
The Bills were in need of a wide receiver in 2024 when they had the 28th pick of the first round and there was speculation that Beane might try to trade up high enough to take a swing at one of the top three - Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze.
Ultimately the price was way too high as they were all gone within the first nine picks, and when Brian Thomas went to the Jaguars at No. 23, Beane cut bait with no more first-round grades on receivers. He traded back twice and out of the first round to pick Keon Coleman at the top of the second round, a receiver who hasn’t panned out through two seasons.
Last year, there was an even greater unanimity that cornerback was the play and sure enough, Beane stayed put at pick No. 30 and took Maxwell Hairston, one of only two corners taken in the opening round. After an injury-plagued rookie year, the jury is very early in its deliberation on whether Hairston turns out to be the right call.
With Joe Brady having replaced Sean McDermott as head coach, and Jim Leonhard hired as the new defensive coordinator, to use a baseball analogy, trying to gauge what the Bills are thinking is like deciphering the strike zone of MLB umpire CB Bucknor’s strike zone. It’s all over the map.
With their first-round pick, No. 26 overall, you can make a viable case for edge rusher, nose tackle, linebacker and even safety due to the switch from McDermott’s base four-man line, nickel scheme to Leonhard’s 3-4. Also, you could easily see the Bills giving Josh Allen another receiving weapon, or making sure he’s protected properly by taking a guard to fill the opening left by free agent Edwards’ departure.
The Bills are in need of a wide receiver as they approach the 2024 NFL draft.
The top wide receiver prospects included Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze.
The Buffalo Bills hold the 28th pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Joe Brady has replaced Sean McDermott as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills.
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Here are six players - one at each position I listed above - who could be flying to Buffalo Friday to be introduced as the Bills’ first-round pick.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: K C Concepcion of the Texas A&M Aggies participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: K C Concepcion of the Texas A&M Aggies participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: K C Concepcion of the Texas A&M Aggies speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Image
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - AUGUST 30: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs the ball as Darion White #44 of the UTSA Roadrunners defends during the second quarter at Kyle Field on August 30, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
AUSTIN, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 28: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs with the ball against the Texas Longhorns during the first quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 15: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies takes a knee in the end zone before playing the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first quarter at Kyle Field on November 15, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - DECEMBER 20: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs with the ball in the third quarter against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Kyle Field on December 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - DECEMBER 20: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies warms up prior to the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game against the Miami Hurricanes at Kyle Field on December 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Oct 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) returns a punt for a touchdown during the second half against the Louisiana State Tigers at Tiger Stadium.
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 13: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies looks on prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 13, 2025 in South Bend, Indiana.
Oct 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) returns a punt for a touchdown during the second half against the Louisiana State Tigers at Tiger Stadium.
Nov 8, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 08: Wide reciever KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs for a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers in the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri.
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 08: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs for a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers in the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri.
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 22: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies returns a punt against Conroy Cunningham #90 of the Samford Bulldogs in the first quarter at Kyle Field on November 22, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
AUSTIN, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 28: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies carries for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - DECEMBER 20: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies warms up prior to the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game against the Miami Hurricanes at Kyle Field on December 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 25: Kevin Concepcion #10 celebrates his touchdown with Jacarrius Peak #65 of the NC State Wolfpack during the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Nov 30, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Kevin Concepcion (10) with the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Caleb LaVallee (34) and linebacker Amare Campbell (17) defend in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Kevin "KC" Concepcion #10 of the NC State Wolfpack runs for a touchdown past Tayvonn Kyle #23 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during a game at Scott Stadium on September 22, 2023 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 09: Kevin Concepcion #10 of the NC State Wolfpack makes a catch for a touchdown during the first half of the game at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 9, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Concepcion would be pushed out of the end zone prior to making contact with the field.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 29: Kevin Concepcion #10 of the NC State Wolfpack dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half against the Western Carolina Catamounts at Carter-Finley Stadium on August 29, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: K C Concepcion of the Texas A&M Aggies participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: K C Concepcion of the Texas A&M Aggies participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: K C Concepcion of the Texas A&M Aggies participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: K C Concepcion of the Texas A&M Aggies speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Image
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COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - AUGUST 30: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs the ball as Darion White #44 of the UTSA Roadrunners defends during the second quarter at Kyle Field on August 30, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
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AUSTIN, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 28: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs with the ball against the Texas Longhorns during the first quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 15: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies takes a knee in the end zone before playing the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first quarter at Kyle Field on November 15, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
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COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - DECEMBER 20: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs with the ball in the third quarter against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Kyle Field on December 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
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COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - DECEMBER 20: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies warms up prior to the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game against the Miami Hurricanes at Kyle Field on December 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
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Oct 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) returns a punt for a touchdown during the second half against the Louisiana State Tigers at Tiger Stadium.
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SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 13: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies looks on prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 13, 2025 in South Bend, Indiana.
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Oct 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) returns a punt for a touchdown during the second half against the Louisiana State Tigers at Tiger Stadium.
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Nov 8, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.
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COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 08: Wide reciever KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs for a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers in the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri.
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COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 08: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs for a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers in the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri.
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COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 22: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies returns a punt against Conroy Cunningham #90 of the Samford Bulldogs in the first quarter at Kyle Field on November 22, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
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AUSTIN, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 28: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies carries for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - DECEMBER 20: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies warms up prior to the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game against the Miami Hurricanes at Kyle Field on December 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 25: Kevin Concepcion #10 celebrates his touchdown with Jacarrius Peak #65 of the NC State Wolfpack during the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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Nov 30, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Kevin Concepcion (10) with the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Caleb LaVallee (34) and linebacker Amare Campbell (17) defend in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium.
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Kevin "KC" Concepcion #10 of the NC State Wolfpack runs for a touchdown past Tayvonn Kyle #23 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during a game at Scott Stadium on September 22, 2023 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 09: Kevin Concepcion #10 of the NC State Wolfpack makes a catch for a touchdown during the first half of the game at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 9, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Concepcion would be pushed out of the end zone prior to making contact with the field.
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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 29: Kevin Concepcion #10 of the NC State Wolfpack dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half against the Western Carolina Catamounts at Carter-Finley Stadium on August 29, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
There is no question that the Rochester native would be a great addition to Buffalo’s offense because he brings such a diverse skill set to the table. He has explosion down the field both as a deep threat but also a player who can turn a short pass into a big gain, something the Bills have long lacked in their receiver room. Also, he was a dynamic punt returner and that has been a gaping hole for Buffalo since Andre Roberts left town after 2020.
The argument against taking a receiver in the first round, though, is plausible. The Bills sent away their second-round pick to acquire DJ Moore from the Bears, and if you want to look at it this way, Moore is sort of their second-round pick in 2026, so why would Buffalo use its first-rounder on a receiver when there are so many areas of need on the defense?
Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell would bring the speed element to the pass rush that Buffalo has lacked.
When his arm measurement at the scouting combine was revealed to be 30 ¼ inches, social media blew up. Considered a sure-fire first-rounder when he arrived in Indianapolis after making 11.5 sacks and being named SEC defensive player of the year in 2025, the thought was that no one would take the risk that high on Howell because historically, short-armed edge rushers have struggled going against big-bodied, long-armed NFL offensive tackles.
We’ll see if Howell breaks the trend, and if the Bills take the swing, what they’ll be banking on is that his tremendous speed, burst and bend will enable him to escape the clutches of those linemen trying to get their hands on him.
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 might be the No. 2 overall pick by the Jets.
Is the first round too early for Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez? It shouldn't be when you consider what an all-around player he is.
Many draft analysts don’t see the value in taking an off ball linebacker in the first round, but I really don’t understand the logic, 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.
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.
Kayden McDonald of Ohio State would be a plug-and-play run-stuffer in the middle of the Bills' defensive line.
Buffalo’s 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 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.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler summed up McDonald perfectly: “McDonald will require time to develop a pass-rush identity, but his dominant run-game qualities will make him immediately useful from different interior alignments. He projects as an early-down rookie, with a role that should continue to expand.” To me, that screams hello Buffalo if he’s sitting there at No. 26.
Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman is going to be picked at some point in the first round.
Cole Bishop seems to be on track to become a superb second-round pick for Beane in 2024, and he’s going to need a long-term partner, perhaps rekindling the fond days of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer.
CJ Gardner-Johnson will be with the Bills in 2026, and bringing in Thieneman to either sit back and learn from the veteran while getting him on the field in certain situations, or perhaps even beat him out for the starting job, would make a lot of sense.
Safeties have become more important and respected in the NFL in recent years because they get deployed in so many different ways. It’s not like the old days when safeties sat back deep to prevent big gainers. They’re now asked to do everything from deep coverage, underneath coverage including in the slot, fit the run from down in the box, or even blitz. Thieneman, a three-year starter who averaged around 100 tackles per year for Purdue (two years) and then Oregon (one), can do all of that.
The Bills need a long-term answer at guard, especially if they don't extend O'Cyrus Torrence, and Chase Bisontis would fit the bill.
Based on the six players I’ve picked, you must be wondering how Texas A&M didn’t win the national championship. Yes, here again, here’s another Aggie who could step in and potentially start from opening day for Buffalo by beating out newly signed but injury prone Austin Corbett for Edwards’ old left guard position.
The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder was a three-year starter at A&M and like his teammate, Howell, he’ll have to overcome short arms (31 ¾ inches), but he’s got the strength (29 bench press reps at the combine which tied for sixth-most among all players), above average mobility and footwork, and a nasty streak to do so.
And remember, there’s no guarantee that Beane can get right guard O’Cyrus Torrence signed to an extension in this, the final year of his rookie deal. If he ends up leaving in free agency next spring, and the Bills don’t have at least one young player already groomed, that’s a problem.
Chances are Beane will take a guard later, but will that player become what many draft analysts believe Bistonis will be in the NFL?
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 draft options include these 6 players