4 Moves Buffalo Bills Need to Make Before 2026 NFL Draft

With the losses of former starting guard David Edwards to the New Orleans Saints and former swing tackle Ryan Van Demark to the Minnesota Vikings during free agency, the Bills need to acquire some level of veteran presence to fill out their offensive line room.

Alec Anderson was re-signed on a one-year deal, and Buffalo has several young, unproven players in the pipeline that will fight for a job during training camp and the preseason. But they need a fallback plan in the form of a seasoned player who has displayed past ability to step in and fill the void in a pinch.

The Bills recently brought former Carolina Panthers interior OL Austin Corbett for a free-agent visit.

Bring in free agent defensive tackle

There’s no question the Bills need to add a defensive tackle or two before kicking off offseason activities. Whether that comes in the draft remains to be seen. Before all eyes turn to Pittsburgh, Buffalo should have its attention focused on signing a player in free agency who could step in and help them on the interior.

Former Detroit Lions DT D.J. Reader has been a hot name among Bills fans, and he remains available on the open market. Former Arizona Cardinals DT Calais Campbell is another veteran option if Buffalo wants to open its pocketbook a bit further.

Sign a linebacker

Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams simply aren’t going to be enough at inside linebacker, and their backups — Joe Andreessen, Jimmy Ciarlo and Keonta Jenkins — are simply that, backups. Thus, the Bills must pursue another veteran to help fill out the depth chart.

Two of the top options still available in free agency are former New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke and former Indianapolis Colts LB Germaine Pratt.

Assemble depth at cornerback

Another position at which the Bills are lacking in terms of capable reserves is cornerback, where Christian Benford and 2025 first-round pick Maxwell Hairston are set to start. 

Beyond that duo, which is a bit shaky considering Hairston’s up-and-down, injury-plagued rookie year, Dorian Strong’s future is in question due to the fallout from a frightening season-ending injury. Elsewhere, the Bills are equipped with MJ Devonshire, Daryl Porter Jr. and Te’Cory Couch at boundary cornerback.

The ideal fit here would be to welcome Tre’Davious White back, but it’s unclear if he would be willing to begin the year as a reserve, much like he did last year. If he is unwilling, perhaps the Bills could convince Rasul Douglas, who is a free agent, to return after spending this past season in Miami with the Dolphins.