Defense first. Speed everywhere. Identity confirmed.
After a massive offseason where Buffalo rebuilt the defense in free agency, the 2028 draft showed the plan clearly:
The Bills weren’t trying to add stars…
They were building a system.
This class isn’t flashy — it’s structural.
Nearly every pick supports the same goal: make the defense faster and harder to sustain drives against.
🧱 Round 1 — Building the Defensive Spine
Rd 1 Pick 9 — Edric Hill (DT, 76 OVR) — Alabama
Role: Interior Disruptor
Hill immediately becomes part of the rotation with Kris Jenkins Jr. and Will Anderson Jr.
He isn’t just a run stuffer — he collapses pockets.
That matters because last year QBs stepped up away from edge pressure all season.
Projection
Day 1 starter in passing downs
Rotational run defender early
👉 This pick completes the pass-rush triangle.
Rd 1 Pick 25 — Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (MIKE, 72 OVR) — Notre Dame
Role: Coverage linebacker
Buffalo already signed Nick Bolton — so why draft a MIKE?
Because Bolton is the communicator.
Viliamu-Asa is the athlete.
He allows:
- Tampa 2 looks
- spy packages vs mobile QBs
- covering RBs/TEs without safeties dropping
Projection
Nickel package starter by midseason
Rd 1 Pick 29 — Sammy Brown (WILL, 75 OVR) — Clemson
Role: Speed linebacker
This is the modern NFL linebacker pick.
Buffalo is clearly moving toward:
4-2-5 defense base looks
Brown + Viliamu-Asa = sideline-to-sideline range the 2027 defense never had.
Projection
Immediate starter in sub packages
Future full-time WILL
🧠 Round 2 — Secondary Versatility
Rd 2 Pick 4 — Aaron Flowers (SS, 63 OVR) — Oregon
Role: Hybrid box safety
Low overall but high scheme value.
He’s a chess piece:
- dime linebacker
- QB spy
- TE matchup defender
This is a “defensive coordinator pick,” not a ratings pick.
🧱 Round 3–5 — Fixing the Offense Quietly
Rd 3 Pick 4 — Connor Stroh (RG, 71 OVR)
Huge power guard for the run game.
Perfect fit for Buffalo’s identity:
Protect Allen with the run, not dropbacks.
Likely starting by Year 2.
Rd 4 Pick 4 — Elijah Burress (WR, 74 OVR)
The only offensive playmaker drafted early
After releasing most WRs, Buffalo didn’t chase a superstar — they added a vertical role player.
Purpose:
- stretch safeties
- open run lanes
- play-action shots
Sneaky important pick.
Rd 5 Pick 4 — Anthonie Knapp (LT, 68 OVR)
Developmental tackle
Insurance for future OL turnover
🪓 Late Rounds — Depth With Purpose
Rd 6 — Colton Vasek (EDGE)
Rotational pass rush depth behind Anderson
Rd 7 — Jordan Washington (TE)
Vertical seam TE replacement for Kincaid conceptually — but cheaper and role-specific
🧠 Draft Philosophy Revealed
Buffalo didn’t draft for ratings.
They drafted for defensive down-and-distance control.
The new defensive structure:
- Anderson — pressure
- Hill/Jenkins — interior collapse
- Bolton — calls plays
- Brown/Viliamu-Asa — speed coverage
This defense is designed to stop 10-play drives.
🏁 Draft Grade
Value: A
Scheme Fit: A+
Star Power: B-
Long-Term Impact: A
⭐ Final Grade: A
Buffalo didn’t chase headlines.
They fixed the exact reason they lost games.
If the defense becomes even league-average…
this roster becomes dangerous immediately.
