The Buffalo Bills are moving to a new 3-4 base scheme on defense, and that means they have to solidify the defensive line. Here are 5 NFL Draft prospects for the Bills that are real possibilities.
The Buffalo Bills are entering a bit of a transition defensively, and that starts up front.
With a shift toward a more 3-4 style under Jim Leonhard, the need for size and versatility on the interior becomes even more important. Buffalo already has pieces like Ed Oliver and Deone Walker, but adding another presence in the middle, especially someone who can eat space and control gaps, feels like a priority heading into the NFL Draft.
Whether it’s early or late, there are plenty of defensive tackle prospects who could fit what the Bills are looking to build. Here are five prospects to watch in the 2026 NFL Draft.
1. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
If the Bills go defensive tackle early, McDonald feels like one of the cleanest fits. Built low to the ground with a powerful base, he’s the kind of player who can anchor the middle in a 3-4 scheme.
He’s tough to move, plays with strong leverage, and has the athleticism to work laterally across the line. That ability to go gap-to-gap is critical in this type of defense. He may not be the flashiest pick at No. 26, but he’s the type of player who can quietly transform how the defense operates.
2. Caleb Banks, Florida
Banks is the “high risk, high reward” option near the top of the board. At 6'6 and over 320 pounds, he’s exactly the kind of massive interior presence teams covet.
When he’s on the field, he shows a rare blend of size, power, and burst. The concern is durability. Injuries have limited his production and could cause him to slide into the back half of the first round or even further. If Buffalo is comfortable with the medicals, he could be a steal with enormous upside.
3. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Hunter feels like one of the most practical fits for what the Bills actually need. He’s a true run-stuffer who thrives in the middle, taking on double teams and freeing up linebackers behind him.
His production against the run stands out, and his ability to shed blocks makes him particularly effective in short-yardage situations. He may not be a high-end pass rusher, but that’s not necessarily what Buffalo would be asking him to do.
If Buffalo trades back in the draft, he's likely a good candidate to be that pick in the middle of the second round.
4. Chris McClellan, Missouri
If the Bills want a more disruptive interior presence, McClellan is an intriguing option in the mid-rounds. He has shown the ability to get into the backfield, rack up tackles, and generate pressure from the inside. In 2025, McClellan had 48 tackles and six sacks from the line.
There are still areas to develop, particularly with strength and consistency, but the tools are there. In a rotational role early on, he could carve out a niche as a pass-rushing defensive tackle with upside.
5. Tim Keenan III, Alabama
Keenan is more of a developmental prospect, but one that fits the mold of what a 3-4 defense looks for at nose tackle. He’s compact, powerful, and built to clog the middle.
The production isn’t eye-popping (16 tackles and two sacks in 2025), and he may take time to develop, but this is the kind of late-round pick that can turn into a valuable rotational piece. If nothing else, he provides depth and size at a position where both are critical.
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