Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus see the Buffalo Bills taking a defensive end early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Let me start by providing a little bit of context for Buffalo Bills fans reading this article. I completely get it that it’s way to early to start looking too seriously at 2026 NFL mock drafts. But for some fans, myself included, it’s nice to focus on some of the top prospects throughout the bowl season — and as things lead towards the NFL Scouting Combine in a few months.
I wanted to focus on the latest mock draft provided by Max Chadwick at Pro Football Focus. While most mocks I’ve seen like the Bills addressing their needs at wide receiver, Chadwick went in a different direction by selecting a defensive end in the first round. Chadwick used the 24th overall pick to select Cashius Howell, the disruptive defensive end out of Texas A&M.
The selection certainly makes sense, as Joey Bosa and A.J. Epenesa are both set to be free agents at the end of the season. Chadwick notes that Howell and defensive end Greg Rousseau “would give the Bills a young, high-upside pass-rushing duo to build around.” Howell is known for his explosiveness and versatility, and he’s viewed as one of the top edge rushers in the 2026 NFL draft class.
Based on the number of investments that general manager Brandon Beane has made along the defensive line in the past, I can understand that this selection may not be all that popular with a lot of Bills Mafia. But if Bosa and, to a lesser extent, Epenesa, are to depart in free agency, the Bills will have a gaping hole opposite of Rousseau on the defensive line. Of course, there is also defensive end Michael Hoecht to consider, but when he’ll be ready to return following an Achilles tear is still a bit nebulous.
There’s certainly plenty of time before the 2026 NFL Draft arrives in late April. However, Bills fans may need to get used the idea of Buffalo selecting a defensive end — at least in when digesting lots of first-round mock drafts.
Category: General Sports
