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Bills’ Defense-Heavy Draft Was Exactly What They Needed

Originally posted on The Lead | By Sebastian Degolier | Last updated May 19, 2025 5:05 PM ET

The NFL Draft took place from April 24-26 and the Buffalo Bills’ selections fell heavily on one side of the ball.

Out of the Bills nine draft picks, six were defensive players, including their first-round pick, Maxwell Hairston. Although some fans may be surprised or upset, this defense-heavy draft was exactly what the Bills needed to do to be able to make a deeper playoff run.

The Bills’ defense has been the team’s weakest point for years, and some fans think the team should have taken a wide receiver sooner than the seventh round when they took Kaden Prather out of Maryland.

Elite Offense Last Season

In the 2024-2025 season, the Bills tied with the Ravens for the second-most touchdowns scored. Since the season has ended, the Bills have signed wide receivers Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore. Given how good the offense was with last year’s receiving core, there was no need for a high-round receiver, especially with these new signings.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane had some very strong things to say about the Bills not drafting a receiver in a higher round.

WOW

Brandon Beane is sick and tired of the WR talk!! #BillsMafia

(@WGR550) pic.twitter.com/Mv7yIhvCDQ

— Buffalo Fanatics (@BfloFanatics) April 28, 2025

Weak Post-Season Defense

Although Beane used some strong language, he has an even stronger point. The Bills’ offense has been one of the best, if not the best, in the entire NFL for the last four seasons, but they have yet to make a Super Bowl appearance because their defense has not been able to support the offense, especially in big games.

Since the 2020 playoffs, the Bills have had a positive point differential in the playoffs (337-290) but still have not been able to push to the Super Bowl due to the defense falling apart year after year, especially against the Chiefs.

So this is why they say defense wins championships pic.twitter.com/WyZSy2ZFtS

— DraftKings (@DraftKings) May 6, 2025

With the defense’s past struggles, specifically in the playoffs, it makes sense that Beane selected defense for six of the nine picks. It was the right decision and could help give the Bills the push they need to get to the Super Bowl.

This article first appeared on The Lead and was syndicated with permission.

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