{"id":867680,"date":"2026-04-16T12:36:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T12:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/867680\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T12:36:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T12:36:23","slug":"2026-nfl-draft-most-important-of-brandon-beanes-bills-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/867680\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NFL Draft Most Important of Brandon Beane&#8217;s Bills Career"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6g\">It\u2019s no secret that there\u2019s a lot of pressure on Brandon Beane entering the Buffalo Bills\u2019 upcoming campaign.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6j\">And that starts with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/bills\/onsi\/buffalo-bills-must-address-top-four-roster-holes-in-nfl-drafthttps:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/bills\/onsi\/four-players-buffalo-bills-need-to-target-in-2026-nfl-draft\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">the 2026 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6m\">Beane needs to knock this one out of the park, and if he doesn\u2019t, the Bills could be in trouble as soon as this season. There are what seem like countless<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/bills\/onsi\/buffalo-bills-must-address-top-four-roster-holes-in-nfl-draft\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> roster holes to fill<\/a> as Buffalo looks ahead to the start of the selection process, and Beane is equipped with seven selections, which is the fewest the Bills have had entering a draft over the last three years.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6p\">So much to do, so little room to work, beginning <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/bills\/onsi\/bills-draft-trends-3-red-hot-players-to-target-at-pick-no-26?page_source=v_recirc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">No. 26 overall in the first round<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6s\">Will they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/bills\/onsi\/draft-rumors-3-trade-back-scenarios-for-bills-in-2026-first-round\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">trade down to acquire more picks<\/a>? Will the Bills trade up?<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6v\">It all\u00a0seems to be\u00a0on the table as they look ahead to Apr. 23.<\/p>\n<p>Past\u00a0history<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/01kpavhgr7j7zbzwnkrc.jpg\" alt=\"Deone Walker\" title=\"Deone Walker\" width=\"3925\" height=\"3925\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"78\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Deone Walker (96) looks on after a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7c\">Let\u2019s examine Beane\u2019s recent efforts to improve the roster through the draft.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7f\">In 2025, the Bills made nine selections, of which only three had any\u00a0sort of\u00a0impact.\u00a0Maxwell Hairston showed flashes at cornerback, Deone Walker was a revelation at defensive tackle and tight end Jackson Hawes had a phenomenal rookie campaign.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7i\">Walker finished with pass rush grade of 71.5, which was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pff.com\/nfl\/players\/deone-walker\/163783\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">25th best among NFL interior defensive lineman<\/a>, according to Pro Football Focus. Hawes finished the season with three receiving touchdowns while performing as one of the top blocking tight ends in the league.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7l\">Dorian Strong was on a solid trajectory before his first\u00a0season as a\u00a0pro was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/bills\/onsi\/injuries-bills-defensive-x-factor-reveals-injury-update-amid-recovery-dorian-strong\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">derailed by injury<\/a>.\u00a0Still, second-rounder T.J. Sanders didn\u2019t make a substantial difference, and third-round pick Landon Jackson couldn\u2019t even get a jersey before his season ended due to injury.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/01kpavg87b3vrf5fsqxt.jpg\" alt=\"T.J. Sanders\" title=\"T.J. Sanders\" width=\"1458\" height=\"1458\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"7v\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Bills defensive tackle T.J. Sanders works to get past A.J. Epenesa during position drills during day seven of Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University Thursday, July 31, 2025 in Pittsford, NY. | Shawn Dowd\/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7z\">In the late rounds, wide receiver Kaden Prather isn\u2019t even on an NFL roster as it stands today.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"82\">The year before, in 2024, Buffalo began its draft slate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/bills\/onsi\/draft-easy-fix-for-bills-keon-coleman-whiff-is-wide-receiver-drawing-puka-nacua-comparisons-denzel-boston\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">with a disastrous pick<\/a>, wide receiver Keon Coleman, before hitting on safety Cole Bishop later in the second round. However, after Bishop, only running back Ray Davis, a special teams contributor, can be considered a good pick.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"85\">Defensive tackle DeWayne Carter may have been cut before the start of the 2025 season, before sustaining a season-ending Achilles tear. Offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran-Granger is rumored to be on the trade block entering his second professional campaign, linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio is no longer on the team, nor is sixth-round cornerback Daequan Hardy.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-16\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"88\">Edge rusher Javon Solomon has yet to make his presence felt and is entering a make-or-break season in new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard&#8217;s new multiple defensive front in Year 3. Tylan Grable has been plagued by injuries, making it difficult to evaluate his selection, while fellow offensive lineman Travis Clayton, a seventh-round pick, is what he is as an international pathway player.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-17\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8b\">The 2023 and 2022 drafts were\u00a0a bit\u00a0better for Beane, but\u00a0it&#8217;s\u00a0been a rough road in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>Pressure\u2019s on<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/01kpavk2cv6g7zaf82mn.jpg\" alt=\"Brandon Beane\" title=\"Brandon Beane\" width=\"4775\" height=\"4775\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"8o\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane before an an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. | Melina Myers-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-20\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8s\">Typically, when a team enters a season under<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/bills\/onsi\/league-meetings-bills-joe-brady-outlines-type-of-player-buffalo-is-seeking-in-free-agency\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> a first-year head coach<\/a>, the spotlight is placed firmly on its new leader. However, for the Bills this year, Beane is in the bullseye on the dart board of Buffalo football fans after he somehow outlasted former head coach Sean McDermott amid a regime change.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-21\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8v\">With Josh Allen at quarterback, many feel Beane has not done enough to get this team over the hump. With that said, he has been gifted another opportunity to do so, and must nail the draft to get his quest toward improving the roster, and saving his job for that matter, off to a good start.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-22\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8y\">Will it be an edge rusher? Will it be a linebacker? God forbid, will it be an offensive lineman?<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/01kpavn2z5xxtne165fh.jpg\" alt=\"Brandon Beane\" title=\"Brandon Beane\" width=\"2633\" height=\"2633\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"98\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Pete Guelli, president of business operations, Brandon Beane, president of football operations and general manager, shake hands with owner and president Terry Pegula after a group photo with new Bills head coach Joe Brady on Jan. 29, 2026 at the Bills field house. | Tina MacIntyre-Yee\/Democrat and Chronicle \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-24\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9c\">Beane and his team are finalizing their preparations, including\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/bills\/onsi\/draft-top-30-visit-with-stud-ol-indicates-bills-seeking-replacement-at-key-position-austin-barber\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">a number of\u00a0top-30 visits<\/a> having taken place in recent days. The next step will be pulling the trigger on the right players and letting Joe Brady and the Bills\u2019 new coaching staff help initiate their development.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-25\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9f\">As the days go on, this is appearing more and more like a sink-or-swim season for Beane. There\u2019s a chance Brady could survive a flop in Buffalo\u2019s first year inside their new palace on Abbott Road. But when it comes to Beane, he needs to surround Allen with an adequate group of weapons capable of supplementing the Bills\u2019 offense to a Super Bowl-caliber level.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-26\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9i\">Otherwise, it could be sayonara for the team president.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-27\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9l\">Sign up to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/bills\/onsi\/newsletter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram<\/a> for the latest news.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/>Add us as a preferred source on Google<a aria-label=\"Follow si.com on Google News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" class=\"flex h-[30px] w-[30px] shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-group-large text-sm font-medium text-white transition-colors hover:bg-secondary focus:bg-secondary md:w-auto md:gap-2.5 md:px-4 md:py-[5px]\">Follow<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s no secret that there\u2019s a lot of pressure on Brandon Beane entering the Buffalo Bills\u2019 upcoming campaign.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":867681,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2048],"tags":[215,214,53,2086,7,6],"class_list":{"0":"post-867680","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-buffalo-bills","8":"tag-bills","9":"tag-buffalo","10":"tag-buffalo-bills","11":"tag-buffalobills","12":"tag-football","13":"tag-nfl"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116414421826775187","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/867680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=867680"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/867680\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/867681"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=867680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=867680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=867680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}