What Happens If Bills Trade Down at NFL Draft? Mapping Every Realistic Scenario

With the Bills unlikely to have 26 prospects holding true first-round grades in this year's draft class, a trade down would make sense if the value isn't available when their spot in the order arrives.

In theory, Buffalo's move down the board wouldn't preclude it from drafting a prospect that it could've reached for at No. 26 overall.

Earlier this month, we wrote about the potential of landing Georgia linebacker CJ Allen as part of a proposal, from Sports Illustrated's Matthew Verderame, that involved the Bills sliding down from No. 26 to No. 30 overall.

The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia projected a scenario where Buffalo trades down two spots to No. 28 overall and still winds up with an edge rusher in the form of Central Florida's Malachi Lawrence.

Here are the three most likely Thursday night scenarios for the Bills.

Scenario 1 — Bills stand pat at No. 26, take BPA

If Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk or a similar caliber prospect is available at a position of need, then it makes sense for the Bills to use the No. 26 overall selection to fill a hole.

There's a decent likelihood, however, that there are no first-round graded players remaining for Buffalo at 26th in the order.

"You probably don't get as many consensus names anywhere near getting to 26," said Beane. "I think there's players that feel like they're going in [Round] 1, but their agent, or someone close to them, also realizes they could go anywhere from 20 to 40. There's always players like that. I would say there's probably maybe more in that category this year.”

There's always the possibility that a wide receiver winds up being the best player available to Buffalo late in Round 1. Despite having already used their second-round pick to trade for wide receiver DJ Moore, would the Bills pull the trigger on a KC Concepcion or Denzel Boston?

Assuming the Bills view the available prospects as first-round caliber, then why not double dip and turn wide receiver into a position of strength?

Scenario 2 — Bills trade out of Round 1 for more mid-round value

Considering Bills' brass doesn't seem blown away by the value offered in Round 1 this year, giving up their first-round pick in exchange for more selections may actually be their preferred way forward.

"It's not as deep at the top, but I do think there are depths, and there are areas in this draft where