Bills Finally Make Their First Pick of the 2026 NFL Draft

The Buffalo Bills have exercised patience so far in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Entering the first round on Thursday night, the Bills hold the No. 28 overall pick. First, Buffalo traded No. 28 to the New England Patriots in exchange for the Nos. 31 and 125 overall picks.

When it was time to go on the clock for No. 31, the Bills were open for business again - trading the Nos. 31, 69, and 165 overall picks to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for the Nos. 35, 66, and 101 overall picks.

Buffalo finally stuck and selected their first 2026 draftee at No. 35: Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker.

Bills fans likely wanted another receiver for all-world quarterback Josh Allen, but Buffalo spent a second-round pick on a wide receiver when they traded their 2026 second-rounder to Chicago in exchange for veteran DJ Moore in early March.

Parker fills a more obvious position of need, and it marks the Bills’ latest of several efforts to fix their pass rush in recent years.

Most notably, the Bills signed All-Pro and Super Bowl 50 MVP pass rusher Von Miller to a massive six-year, $120 million contract in March 2022, which did not live up to the price tag. Last year, Buffalo signed veteran defensive end Joey Bosa to a one-year deal, and he remains an unsigned free agent now. Last month, Bradley Chubb signed with the Bills after Miami released him.

No pressure, Parker.

At Clemson, Parker’s best statistical season came as a sophomore, with 11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, and an ACC-most six forced fumbles in 2024. Last season was a down year for Parker - and the entire Clemson Tigers football team - as he posted five sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss in 12 games.

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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 5:22 PM.