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NFL Power Rankings: Where Buffalo Bills Rank on Post-Draft Lists

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NFL Power Rankings

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane spent the vast majority of the offseason upgrading the team’s defense. Free-agent signing Joey Bosa and first-round draft pick Maxwell Hairston headlined the new arrivals. The early NFL power rankings suggest analysts approve of the approach.

The Bills rank inside the top five of all major power rankings released since the completion of the 2025 NFL draft. A combination of MVP quarterback Josh Allen, who received a few new weapons in Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore, and the defensive improvements keeps Buffalo among the league’s elite.

Not every question has been answered, though. Running back James Cook is seeking a contract extension worth at least $15 million annually. An in-season holdout so far appears unlikely, but he skipped the start of voluntary workouts. It’s a situation to monitor heading toward training camp.

NFL Power Rankings: Buffalo Bills Post-Draft Analysis

ESPN: No. 3

Behind: Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles

“There is no area the Bills have addressed more thoroughly this offseason than the defensive line. They selected three players for the unit in the draft (T.J. Sanders, Landon Jackson, and Deone Walker), even after adding Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht, and Larry Ogunjobi in free agency,” ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg wrote. “The team also signed Greg Rousseau to a four-year contract extension. By bringing in youth and veterans, the Bills have overhauled a 2024 group that was a part of the worst passing defense and third-down defense (44 percent conversion rate) of Sean McDermott’s eight-year tenure.”

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Buffalo’s desire to upgrade the defensive line stems from the lack of pressure it generated, especially on third down. Those struggles, combined with linebacker injuries and underwhelming play in the secondary, made the unit overly reliant on turnovers to generate stops. It finished tied for 18th with just 39 sacks last season.

Then the Bills watched the Super Bowl as the Eagles’ line overpowered the Chiefs. It eliminated any remaining questions about what’s necessary to dethrone the kings of the AFC. Allen and Co. will score, but Buffalo needs far more from its defenses to finally punch a Super Bowl ticket.

Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Joey Bosa (97) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first quarter in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium.

CBS Sports: No. 3

Behind: Eagles, Chiefs

“They’ve had a good offseason, extending a lot of their own, including Josh Allen, and adding good pieces in free agency in receiver Josh Palmer and edge Joey Bosa,” CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco wrote. “They also had a heck of a draft, getting corner Maxwell Hairston and a bunch of help for the defense.”

Although there’s been some uproar in Buffalo about Beane not trying to hunt down a No. 1 wide receiver for Allen this offseason, it’s a bit misguided. The Bills are using an “everybody eats” mentality until the opportunity arises to land that top target at the right price. That wasn’t going to happen this year.

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The current offense doesn’t lack playmakers, either. Here’s an initial look at the pass-catching options who may end up on the final roster:

That’s enough talent to keep the Bills offense clicking on all cylinders. The No. 1 wideout pursuit will continue next offseason, but it’s tough when drafting near the end of Round 1 every year.

Fox Sports: No. 3

Behind: Eagles, Detroit Lions

“Bills general manager Brandon Beane spent his weekend throwing draft picks at a defense that has been plagued by injury over the years, and I totally get it,” Fox Sports’ David Helman wrote. “As fun as it would be to draft a young receiver for Josh Allen, Buffalo has plenty of options on offense. A healthier, more talented defense could go a long way toward getting over the hump.”

Injuries are an important factor for every team, but the health of linebacker Matt Milano is incredibly crucial for the Bills. The 2022 First Team All-Pro made just nine appearances across the past two years because of various ailments. The defense suffered because of it.

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Perhaps more concerning, however, is that the 30-year-old Boston College product didn’t showcase the same sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability upon his return last season. Can he bounce back after a healthy offseason, or have all the injuries over the years taken a cumulative toll? The answer will be one of the biggest keys to Buffalo’s season.

NFL.com: No. 4

Behind: Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Chiefs

“The overall focus on defense was obvious and needed,” NFL.com’s Eric Edholm wrote. “Edge rusher Landon Jackson was one of my favorite picks of theirs and a perfect fit. The Bills only took one wide receiver—Kaden Prather, in Round 7—so that could be a spot they look to upgrade through the veteran ranks. Their work isn’t done, but there’s no reason to think the Bills shouldn’t enter training camp as one of the Super Bowl favorites, even with a wait-and-see approach for the defense.”

Prather faces an uphill battle to make the Bills’ 53-man roster. What Buffalo lacks in high-end talent at the position, it makes up for with tremendous depth. The rookie is no better than eighth in the pecking order right now. Only five or six will make the final cut.

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The University of Maryland product is likely a player Beane and Co. will try to sneak on to the practice squad with an eye toward a bigger impact in 2026 and beyond.

Bleacher Report: No. 4

Behind: Eagles, Chiefs, Lions

“The Bills aren’t a team with many holes on the roster, and after another solid draft there are that many fewer on the defensive side of the ball,” B/R’s Gary Davenport wrote. “Granted, Buffalo isn’t without some question marks—unless Keon Coleman steps up, the Bills don’t really have an ‘alpha’ wideout. But any team led by Josh Allen with a stout defense is going to be dangerous, and it would be a massive upset if anyone else wins the AFC East.”

All told, the Bills’ roster looks modestly better now than it did at the end of last season. Palmer and Moore provide the offense with a much-needed infusion of separation ability. The widespread defensive additions should ensure improvement on third down. That’s why seeing them near the top of the NFL power rankings was expected.

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Should they be the championship favorite? No. The questions about a lack of elite pass-catchers are legitimate. So are the concerns about the injury risk for defensive players like Bosa, Milano, Terrel Bernard, and Ed Oliver. It’s not a roster without flaws or possible pitfalls.

That said, having arguably the NFL’s best player in Allen is an unbeatable starting point. He gives Buffalo a lot more margin for error than most teams. If the Bills’ defensive line revamp works as intended, the franchise’s first Super Bowl title will be within reach.

Main Photo: Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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