What They're Saying

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What they're saying | Buffalo Bills 2026 NFL Draft grades & pick analysis

Apr 27, 2026 at 03:39 PM

Seasonal writing associate

2026 NFL Draft Day 3, April 25, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.

The Buffalo Bills drafted 10 players between days two and three of the 2026 NFL Draft after trading out of the first round on Thursday.

It was a defense-heavy draft for the Bills with six of their picks coming from that side of the ball. They also picked up three players on offense and one punter.

Buffalo selected:

OLB TJ Parker (Round 2, No. 35 overall)
CB Davison Igbinosun (Round 2, No. 62 overall)
T/G Jude Bowry (Round 4, No. 102 overall)
WR Skyler Bell (Round 4, No. 125 overall)
LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr (Round 4, No. 126 overall)
S Jalon Kilgore (Round 5, No. 167 overall)
DT Zane Durant (Round 5, No. 181 overall)
CB Toriano Pride Jr. (Round 7, No. 220 overall)
P Tommy Doman Jr. (Round 7, No. 239 overall)
G Ar'maj Reed-Adams (Round 7, No. 241 overall)

With the draft winding down, NFL analysts assessed and graded the Bills' picks. Here's what they said:

🚨 2026 NFL Draft Team Grades

In my annual draft grades round-up, I have compiled 24 different evaluations and calculated the GPA for all 32 teams.
I sorted the evaluations by GPA as well. From left (soft) to right (hard graders).
Thanks to all who give out grades every year! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VysunPaW9H
— René Bugner (@RNBWCV) April 27, 2026

TJ Parker: A

Scott Dochterman of the The Athletic wrote:

"He was a safe pick but a quality one. If Buffalo had drafted him at No. 26 on Thursday, it would generate the same reaction. That the Bills got Parker at No. 35 is an even bigger win."

Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic wrote:

"Parker checks a lot of the boxes the Bills go for in edge rushers, and what they are looking to do at the outside linebacker spot … This pick is right up Bills GM Brandon Beane's draft alley."

"Parker enters into a Bills outside linebacker room that was clearly in need of depth, a potential long-term starter and a sizable investment in the draft."

"The Bills added a completely necessary new piece to their brand-new defense for 2026 in Parker, and now have multiple pass-rushing assets to choose from on a weekly basis. Parker has long-term starting appeal as a potential three-down player who defends the run well, and he brings some explosiveness they lacked, too."

Mike Renner of CBS Sports wrote:

"The Bills were in desperate need of pass-rushing help and add just that at the top of Round 2. Parker is a physical edge rusher who's been a plus run defender and pocket-collapser since Day 1 at Clemson. He would have gone much higher than this after his sophomore year, but his lackluster 2025 tape drops him to Round 2."

Rob Rang of FOX Sports wrote:

"The Bills still added a quality edge rusher in T.J. Parker, who I thought was going to come off the board on Day 1. He is already a well-rounded and productive player and is still just scratching the surface of his potential."

Beast Breakdown: Buffalo Bills EDGE rusher TJ Parker pic.twitter.com/f6vnhg2kMr
— The Athletic Football Show (@TA_FootballShow) April 24, 2026

Davison Igbinosun: B

Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic wrote:

"The pick may not make sense initially, but having dependable man coverage on the boundary will be extremely important to the Bills' new scheme."

"Igbinosun gives the Bills everything they would have looked for in a cornerback prospect later in the draft and then some, and now, even gives them some insurance for [Maxwell] Hairston should he struggle in his second season."

Dane Brugler of The Athletic said:

"You know exactly what you're getting in terms of physicality … he will put his hands on you and escort you where he wants to go … It's hard to find guys that are that size with that length, have that type of speed and he's wired the right way. And so, I think there's a lot to like about him as a matchup corner on the outside."

Derrick Klassen of The Athletic said:

"He was a guy I probably thought I was going to have closer to a Top 50 grade when I saw some of those pops … he probably settled about into this range where it's that second, third round."

Nate Tice of Yahoo! Sports said:

"I like the player. Davison was in my Top 85 … a good, solid No. 2. Played a lot of games, he's been on my radar for years it feels like. He's got solid size, checks a lot of boxes."

Jude Bowry: A-

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports wrote:

"Bowry is a big, powerful offensive lineman who brings versatility to Buffalo's offensive line after the team lost David Edwards in free agency. His best tape may have been in 2024."

Skyler Bell: A-

Matt Harmon of Yahoo! Sports:

"Bell goes in a more than solid range for his skills as a Round 4 selection."

"Bell projects well as a movement Z receiver who can also kick into the slot. Was excellent on deep out-breakers and top routes. Would like to see Buffalo lean into that usage and believe he can then be an efficient option for them."

Favorite picks of Round 2:

• TJ Parker (Bills)
• Colton Hood (Giants)
• R Mason Thomas (Chiefs)
• Zion Young (Ravens)
• Aveion Terrell (Falcons)
• Lee Hunter (Panthers)
• Brandon Cisse (Packers
• Eli Stowers (Eagles)
• Logan Jones (Bears)
• Bud Clark (Seahawks)
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 25, 2026

Jalon Kilgore: B+

Dane Brugler of The Athletic:

"Kilgore is a tough one for me because I didn't love the tape as much as others, but I like the athlete a lot and that's why he earned a spot in my Top 100. But I saw a player who was a nickel in college who I don't think is a nickel in the NFL. I think he needs to play further off the ball, use that range, be more of a safety … there was a lot about his testing and the athlete, and he had ball production in college. So, for him to fall as far as he did was a little surprising."

One of the best run after catch players in the 2026 NFL Draft: UConn WR Skyler Bell. pic.twitter.com/sC0MjwmSiv
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 10, 2026

Zane Durant: B+

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports wrote:

"Durant is a shorter interior defender with good quickness to get into gaps. Buffalo is not going to guarantee him a roster spot, so he will have to compete in camp."

Charles McDonald of Yahoo! Sports:

"Pretty good value for someone with his tools … He ran a 4.75 at the combine. He is that fast on film … he's got a chance … because I think he does have some nice play strength, he's got some moves … now he's playing next to Deone Walker, which helps a lot … it's a less physically demanding spot for him than maybe other teams would have been. So, I like the Zane Durant pick and, if we're high on Jim Leonhard, I think that this a staff that could potentially develop him and get the most out of him."

Tommy Doman Jr.: B

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports wrote:

"If Buffalo landed its new starting punter, then that is a good use of a seventh-round pick. Doman watched as his teammate, kicker Trey Smack, was picked a round earlier."

Ar'maj Reed-Adams: B

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports wrote:

"The thought was that Buffalo may take its replacement for David Edwards earlier in the festivities, but they added a body to the room before the draft ended."