Bills Trade Out of Round 1, Gain More Picks

In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills executed a bold strategy by trading out of the first round entirely. They initiated three distinct trades, ultimately forfeiting their initial first-round pick to accumulate more draft capital. This move aligns with a contemporary draft philosophy that emphasizes increasing the number of player acquisition opportunities.

Buffalo's decision was also influenced by a perceived minimal talent drop-off between the late first and early second rounds. Despite trading away a second-round pick earlier for D.J. Moore, the Bills successfully transformed picks 26, 91, and 165 into a more extensive set of selections: 35, 66, 101, 125, and 167. The long-term success of this approach will be determined by the performance of the players they select with these additional picks.