The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone.
As is the case each year, after the draft the roster has its share of both “winners” and losers.” Those can be both prospects picked by the Bills, and Buffalo made plenty of them with 10 total, or veterans already on the roster.
With the dust settled on the 2026 draft, here are Bills Wire’s winners and losers following the draft:
Winner: Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard
Starting in the coach ranks, Leonhard had his new defense addressed plenty. Of the 10 picks made by Buffalo, six were defensive players. Included in those six were the Bills’ top two selections: edge defender TJ Parker and cornerback Davison Igbinosun.
Those additions will help the roster fit Leonhard’s defense as opposed to the old scheme under Sean McDermott.
Loser: QB Josh Allen
Speaking of those first picks by the Bills, that marks another draft the Bills did not get a top wide receiver prospect for their quarterback. Buffalo selected Skyler Bell in Round 4, but he could be a prospect that needs time to develop. Time will tell.
Winner: DT Deone Walker
While Leonhard’s defense was addressed, the nose tackle position was not. With the switch to a 3-4 defense under Leonhard, the Bills need nose tackles. General manager Brandon Beane said after not picking one early at the draft, Walker is the leading candidate for the job but that could change.
Loser: S Jalon Kilgore
Kilgore is a prospect that is drawing excitment because of his versatility. On the field, despite being a fifth-round pick that could give him an edge over the likes of Damar Hamlin or CJ Gardner-Johnson to start next to Cole Bishop at safety
Winner: WR Keon Coleman
Again, Bell might be a project. But more so reflecting on the Bills not using a top draft pick on a wide receiver once again… Coleman still could have a chance to turn the tide on his career
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Winners, losers from the Bills’ 2026 NFL Draft class
Reporting by Nick Wojton, USA TODAY / Bills Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
