The Buffalo Bills have often been projected in mock drafts to take a wide receiver in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen sees things differently, though.

In a new article put out by Bowen on Tuesday, he names his “favorite fits” for various teams across the NFL. For the Bills, he doesn’t name a wideout.

He instead things edge rusher Cashius Howell could be the best fit for Buffalo.

Howell is a 6-foot-3 supreme athlete from Texas A&M. He does a lot of things very well and would be a great get late in the first round for the Bills.

“The Bills signed veteran edge rusher Bradley Chubb in free agency to play under new coordinator Jim Leonhard, but landing Howell would give them an impact player in sub packages,” Bowen writes. “With his quick first step and natural bend, Howell can dip under offensive tackles and close on the quarterback. Howell can also press tackles vertically to open the door for inside counter moves. He had a total of 25 sacks over the past three seasons.”

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One thing Howell has going for him is his relatively consistent college production. Each year, there are a few pass rushers that rise up draft boards thanks more to their athletic traits than due to what they did in college — and those guys often don’t pan out.

Howell doesn’t fit that mold. He’s a guy who was good in college who could also be good in the NFL thanks to a combination of experience and impressive traits.

It’s no guarantee Howell makes it to the Bills, or even that they take him if he does.

But based on Bowen’s thinking, it sure seems like Howell will at least be worth considering for Buffalo if he’s on the board.

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