Buffalo Bills NFL Mock Draft Roundup 4.0

After signing Bradley Chubb in free agency, the Bills get the young pass-rush juice they need in Mesidor. The former Miami star will be a 25-year-old rookie, but his extensive college experience and production level indicates that he could be a Day 1 contributor for Buffalo. The 6-foot-3, 259-pound Mesidor had 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss for the Hurricanes in 2025.

Proposed trade: The Bills have a significant need at inside linebacker and still get to address it despite moving back eight spots. Allen is the second-best linebacker in my rankings; he's a physical player with good range and ability to spot drop into coverage. He added 3.5 sacks in 2025, too.

The Bills have to get more edge-rush help and Howell can do that. He has shorter arms, but he can impact the game off the edge.

The Bills already made one move to get an edge rusher in Bradley Chubb and still have Greg Rousseau on the team, but if there's one thing they still lack, it's speed, explosiveness and bend around the edge from their pass rushers. Howell changes that immediately. He tied for the quickest 10-yard split at the 2026 NFL Combine among edge rushers at 1.58 seconds. A consistent pass rush has been an issue for the Bills almost every year since Josh Allen became their quarterback. With new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard's scheme, they have every reason to try to finally fix that problem with Howell. — Joe Buscaglia

Linebacker was tempting here with CJ Allen still available. Instead, the Bills bolster their spine at the safety spot. Even after signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone, I think the Bills could use another centrally located long-term option that new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard could weaponize. McNeil-Warren is such a fun player. He is a quick diagnoser and loves to fit the run. He would be a great fit for Leonhard's defense that asks a lot out of its safeties.

Faulk, an intriguing gem in need of some polish, can fill an area of concern given the Bills' wideout issue seems solved by the trade for DJ Moore. Faulk should be a three-down player who can kick inside on passing downs. He also has a reputation as being an excellent locker-room presence, always a huge bonus.

The level of concern about Howell's lack of length (30 1/4-inch arms) will vary from team to team, but his first-step quickness is unquestioned after he posted the fastest 10-yard split (1.58 seconds) of any player from the defensive line group at this year's NFL Scouting Combine. New Bills DC Jim Leonhard comes from Denver, where the Broncos won off the edge with Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, who both ranked among the top five at their position last season in average get-off, per Next Gen Stats.

The Bills' tight salary cap led to some cornerback changes this offseason, with the team cutting Dane Jackson, trading Taron Johnson and letting Tre'Davious White hit free agency. They have Christian Benford and 2025 first-rounder Maxwell Hairston in place, but the depth is shallow. Terrell is great in man coverage, showing the ability to stick on receivers. He didn't come away with any interceptions last season, but he broke up nine passes.

Thieneman reminds me of new Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonard back when he was a standout in the NFL. He's a great player, and Oregon head coach Dan Lanning loved him thanks to his versatility, toughness and anticipation.