The 2026 NFL offseason is well underway now with Super Bowl 60 in the rearview mirror with the Seattle Seahawks taking the title over the New England Patriots.
With the nature of every NFL offseason, changes made by teams such as the Buffalo Bills will be the focus now. Can an injection of new talent and roster changes push the team toward a stronger 2026 season and future?
There is potential for that to be the case. But Pro Football Focus makes the case (and reminder) that players already on the Bills’ roster have an opportunity to have a “breakout” in 2026.
PFF selected one of every such player for all 32 NFL teams. For Buffalo, defensive tackle Deone Walker was the choice.
Walker only had one sack during his rookie year in 2025 for the Bills. However, PFF still sees his pass-rush prowess as something he could build on next season.
PFF’s case for Walker to be the Bills’ “breakout” player in 2026 can be found below:
Walker was a fourth-round pick who always had the potential to outperform his draft slot. He did so immediately, playing 549 snaps this season and placing second among Buffalo’s defensive linemen with a 78.3 PFF pass-rush grade. Walker tallied 20 pressures, two sacks, five batted passes and even an interception in the team’s playoff game against the Broncos. His development will be a major storyline in 2026 as the Bills try to improve their defense for a Super Bowl run.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Who is a breakout candidate for the Bills in 2026?
Reporting by Nick Wojton, USA TODAY / Bills Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
