Feb. 3, 2026, 7:45 a.m. ET
The Buffalo Bills roster is due for some major roster turnover. With new leadership in head coach Joe Brady, offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, and defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, Buffalo will have needs that differ from the previous regime. This makes this season’s mock draft projects a bit more chaotic, as the new staff adds a new level of intrigue to the possibilities.
ESPN’s Matt Miller projects two players who could help rebuild the roster with the new coaching staff. In his latest two-round mock draft, Miller has Buffalo filling some glaring roster needs by selecting Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion and Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas.
Miller has the Bills selecting Concepcion with the team’s first-round pick, the 26th overall in this year’s draft. There’s been quite a bit of debate with regard to Buffalo’s perceived lack of perimeter playmakers on offense. Concepcion is an elite playmaker who would immediately fill a void on the roster, provide an element of athleticism and speed that was lacking at times. Miller adds:
Even with the Bills shifting to a more balanced offense focused on NFL rushing champion James Cook III, there’s a severe need for wide receiver help. Josh Allen needs a pass catcher who can create and make plays. Concepcion has average size at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, but he’s shifty throughout the route tree and creates yards after the catch. The Bills could line him up in the slot and unleash him on choice routes, where he can quickly create space and be a threat unlike anything Allen has had since Stefon Diggs.
Concepcion totaled 185 receptions for 2,218 receiving yards in three collegiate seasons. He was a touchdown machine, finding the end zone 25 times during his time in college.
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Concepcion would immediately challenge for No. receiver duties in Buffalo if he were to be selected by Buffalo’s brass.
Buffalo adds their first defensive player in the Jim Leonhard era with the selection of Illionis edge rusher Gabe Jacas. The senior had a penchant for getting after the quarterback in college, recording 27 sacks, including a career-best 11 sacks, during his time with the Fighting Illini. Miller sees this is a good fit for both the Bills and Jacas:
The Bills need impact players on defense and have long lacked a well-rounded, capable presence off the corner. Jacas posted 11 sacks last season and is a complete edge player at 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds.
Jacas led the Big Ten in sacks last year. He earned First-Team All-Big Ten Honors, as voted by the media. Jacas was a team captain, and his experience should help him learn the playbook at the next level quickly. Jacas played most of this time as an outside linebacker, which should fit well into the new 3-4 defensive system under Leonard.