Buffalo Bills Edge Rusher Targets in 2026 NFL Draft: 6 Prospects to Watch

The Buffalo Bills have tried to patch their pass rush for years. Veteran signings, short-term fixes,  and draft picks with the hope that someone flips a switch late in the season.

Unfortunately, it hasn't really worked. Buffalo has had too many instances of its pass rush disappearing in meaningful games, especially in the playoffs. 

This year, the Bills are still trying to figure things out on that front with hopes that a new system and defensive coordinator will lead to improvement. They've also brought in veteran Bradley Chubb to help get to the quarterback. But the reality is he's not the long-term answer, and neither is relying solely on Greg Rousseau to carry the load.

Buffalo needs depth. They need youth. And most importantly, they need players who can actually get to the quarterback.

This draft feels like the place to find that. Here are six edge rush targets for the Buffalo Bills in the 2026 NFL Draft.

1. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

If there’s one “chalk” first-round name that makes sense for Buffalo, it’s Howell. He proved everything he needed to prove this past season, putting up 12 sacks at Texas A&M after already showing production earlier in his career.

The biggest takeaway? He’s not just beating up on lesser competition. He’s done it at multiple levels, and that matters.

He explodes off the ball with a violent first step and has a natural feel as a pass rusher. The spin move stands out, and he’s got a knack for getting into the backfield. There are concerns about arm length and how that translates against bigger NFL tackles, especially when he dips low and can get knocked off balance.

But he’s not just a pass rusher. He can hold his own against the run, which is something the Bills desperately need. If he’s there at 26, he’s one of the few edge players who feels like a realistic and logical pick.

2. Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Falk brings something the Bills have been missing: balance.

Too often, edge rushers are one-dimensional. They can get after the quarterback, but they’re liabilities against the run. Falk isn’t that. He does both, and he does both well.

At 6-foot-6, 276 pounds, he fits the mold of a long, physical edge defender. If you’re building a defensive front, these are the types of players you want as your bookends. He can rush the passer, set the edge, and stay on the field in all situations.

That kind of versatility makes him a very real late first-round option.

3. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State

Dennis-Sutton is more of a developmental pick, but the traits are there.

He’s long, lean, and still growing into his frame. At times, he looks like a player who hasn’t fully put everything together yet, but that’s also what makes him intriguing. There’s upside here.

He produced solid numbers with nine sacks last season, even in a year where things didn’t exactly go smoothly for Penn State as a whole. He can rush the passer and hold up enough against the run, but this is a player you’re drafting for what he could become.

Think Day 2 or early Day 3, with a role on special teams early while he develops.

4. Malachi Lawrence, UCF

Lawrence is a pure pass rusher.

He’s been consistently productive, stacking sacks over multiple seasons, and he wins in a variety of ways. Whether it's his chop, rip, spin, or counter, Lawrence has a full toolbox when it comes to getting after the quarterback.

The downside is clear: he’s not going to help much against the run. That’s not his game.

But in obvious passing situations? He’s exactly the type of rotational piece Buffalo has been missing. If he’s there in the third or fourth round, this feels like a strong value pick.

5. Caden Curry, Ohio State

Curry is all about effort and motor.

He’s not the biggest edge defender, and he’s not the most physically dominant, but he plays like every snap matters. He’s the type of player who blocks punts, chases plays down from behind, and does all the little things that don’t always show up in the box score.

That kind of energy translates immediately to special teams, which is critical for Day 3 picks. But there’s also enough there to believe he could develop into a rotational player over time.

This is a culture fit as much as anything. A “Buffalo-type” player.

6. Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan

Tucker is the ultimate upside swing.

After barely seeing the field early in his career at Houston, he transferred to Western Michigan and exploded for 15 sacks, leading the country. That kind of jump is going to raise questions of whether it's sustainable or just a one-year flash.

But the traits are real. He has an explosive first step, strong hands, and showed at the Senior Bowl that he can win against higher-level competition.

This is a Day 3 pick, likely in the fifth or sixth round, where you’re betting on potential. If it hits, you’ve got a steal. If not, the cost is minimal.

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