The Buffalo Bills need long-term stability at safety. Here are four 2026 NFL draft prospects who fit their aggressive defensive style and could be future starters for the team.
The Buffalo Bills find themselves in an interesting spot at safety.
On paper, there are answers and players ready to go in the locker room. C.J. Gardner-Johnson is expected to start alongside Cole Bishop, but there are still real questions about long-term stability at the position. Gardner-Johnson brings energy and edge, but bouncing around the league raises concerns about consistency. Plus, he's only under contract for a year.
That leaves Buffalo in a position where adding another safety, especially one who fits an aggressive, attacking defensive style, makes a lot of sense in the draft.
Here are five prospects to watch for the Bills in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Safeties In The 2026 NFL Draft
Oct 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Louisiana State Tigers defensive back A.J. Haulcy (13) makes an interception against Texas A&M Aggies tight end Theo Melin Öhrström (17) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images1. A.J. Haulcy, LSU
Haulcy is probably the most complete option in the range Buffalo will realistically be targeting. He’s strong in zone coverage, reads the ball well, and has shown a real ability to attack at the catch point, highlighted by strong interception and pass breakup numbers during his college career.
He also brings the kind of sideline-to-sideline range the Bills need on the back end.
The biggest concern is consistency as a tackler. His angles and leverage can get sloppy, leading to missed tackles when he overcommits. But that’s a recurring theme with a lot of prospects in this class—and something that can be cleaned up with coaching.
If the Bills move around the board and land in that late second to early third range, Haulcy feels like a very realistic target.
Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Zakee Wheatley (6) sacks UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images2. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
Wheatley might be one of the most intriguing fits for Buffalo.
At 6-foot-3, he has the size teams love, but he still needs to add weight to handle the physicality of the NFL. Early in his career, tackling was a major issue, but he’s shown real improvement, becoming more reliable at bringing ball carriers down.
What stands out most is his versatility. He can support the run, play downhill, blitz when needed, and still hold his own in coverage. He reads routes well and has enough ball skills to make plays when the opportunity is there.
There are still moments where he over-pursues, but again, that’s coachable. If Buffalo lands him in the third round range, this could be one of those picks that looks like a steal a few weeks into the season.
Dec 30, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Jaden Richardson (15) attempts to catch the ball against TCU Horned Frogs safety Bud Clark (21) and cornerback Channing Canada (7) during the Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images3. Bud Clark, TCU
Clark is one of the more fun prospects in this group and one of our favorites.
He plays aggressive, attacks the football, and has elite ball production for a safety, racking up interceptions consistently throughout his career. His ability to recover and close on plays stands out—if he gets beat early, he has the speed to make up for it.
The concern is size. At under 190 pounds, he’s going to need to bulk up to handle the physical demands of the NFL.
There’s also some over-aggressiveness in his game. He can jump routes a little too early, which opens the door for big plays if he guesses wrong. But with the right coaching and discipline, that aggressiveness can be harnessed rather than eliminated.
If he’s there in the third or fourth round, this feels like a pick you run to the podium with.
Oct 14, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats defensive safety VJ Payne (19) intercepts a pass against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images4. VJ Payne, Kansas State
Payne is more of a late-round option, but one that brings something every team values: leadership.
He’s a true field general who reads quarterbacks well, breaks on the ball quickly, and has the ability to cover tight ends effectively. His instincts stand out, especially for a player projected to go in the fifth or sixth round.
There are limitations. He needs to get stronger, struggles to disengage from blockers, and isn’t as effective against wide receivers in space.
But in the later rounds, you’re looking for players who can contribute on special teams and develop over time. Payne checks those boxes and brings intangibles you can’t teach.
Safety might not be the flashiest need for Buffalo, but it’s one of the more important.
With questions still lingering around the current group, adding a young, aggressive playmaker to develop alongside Bishop could go a long way. Whether it’s a mid-round value like Wheatley or a late-round leader like Payne, this feels like a position the Bills could quietly address and benefit from in a big way.
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