ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Brandon Beane went all-in. Trading a second-round pick to the Chicago Bears for wide receiver D.J. Moore sent a massive shockwave through the AFC East. It gives Josh Allen a proven elite target, but it also creates a massive void on Day 2 of the Bills 2026 NFL Draft. Buffalo must now find starting-caliber talent in the later rounds.
Historically, that is exactly where Beane thrives. He consistently unearths massive value in rounds three through seven. Buffalo also transitions from Sean McDermott’s traditional 4-3 base defense to new coordinator Jim Leonhard’s aggressive 3-4 scheme this year. This philosophical shift demands new personnel—bigger bodies clogging the middle and explosive speed on the edges. The chilly Orchard Park winds demand a tough, physical front to stop the run late in the season. Let’s break down three under-the-radar prospects Buffalo must target to fill these gaps.
The Defensive Shift: Targeting Zxavian Harris
Buffalo invested heavily in the interior defensive line last year. The front office drafted T.J. Sanders in Round 2 and grabbed Deone Walker in Round 4. Walker broke out immediately. The 6-foot-7, 331-pound rookie dominated the trenches, proving that size combined with raw athleticism completely disrupts modern NFL offenses.
This year, Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavian Harris offers a nearly identical physical profile. Harris stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 330 pounds, yet he moves with the explosive burst of a linebacker. He consistently pushes the pocket on passing downs and eats up double teams against the run. Pairing Harris and Walker on either side of a true nose tackle in Leonhard’s 3-4 would create a physically terrifying front line.
Having three highly drafted defensive tackles might look like a luxury on paper. In reality, NFL defensive lines run on deep rotations. Fresh legs win the fourth quarter. Harris ensures the Bills never drop off in production when the starters need a breather.
Staying Local with Red Murdock
Buffalo loves a hometown hero. The team struck gold previously with undrafted free agent “Buffalo” Joe Andreesen out of the University at Buffalo. Andreesen locked down his roster spot through sheer grit. In 2026, the Bills need to take the short drive down to Amherst again to scout linebacker Khalil “Red” Murdock.
Murdock brings a violent, downhill playing style that perfectly fits Leonhard’s attacking philosophy. Raised by a single mother of six, Murdock ground his way from a post-graduate year at Fork Union Military Academy to becoming an absolute force at UB. While he doesn’t post elite combine speed, the 6-foot-2, 232-pound defender possesses elite instincts. He lives in the opposing backfield. During his time at UB, Murdock piled up a staggering 39.5 tackles for a loss and set a new NCAA record with 17 career forced fumbles, breaking a record previously held by Khalil Mack.
Leonhard wants his defense to force turnovers and create total chaos. A linebacker who actively hunts the football and jars it loose on contact is exactly what this new scheme requires. Snagging Murdock in the late rounds provides Buffalo with an immediate special teams ace and a future starter inside.
Chasing the Ceiling: Jeff Caldwell
Acquiring D.J. Moore doesn’t mean the Bills are done adding offensive weapons. The current receiver room needs cheap, high-upside depth. The 2026 draft class lacks top-tier receiver depth, forcing Beane to take a boom-or-bust swing on Day 3.
Enter Cincinnati’s Jeff Caldwell. He started his career at FCS Lindenwood, dominating the lower level with a 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown season in 2024. He transferred to Cincinnati for 2025. While his overall yardage dropped to 478 yards, he remained a lethal red-zone threat, scoring touchdowns on six of his 32 catches.
Caldwell destroyed the NFL Scouting Combine. At 6-foot-5 and 216 pounds, he ran a blazing 4.31-second 40-yard dash. He posted a 42-inch vertical and an 11-foot-2 broad jump. The only receivers who ran faster weighed under 190 pounds. He owns the exact physical dimensions of an A.J. Brown or DK Metcalf.
He requires major development. His route tree is limited, and he needs time to learn the nuances of NFL coverages. You cannot teach his size or speed, though. Drafting a player who averaged a touchdown every four catches in college is a smart gamble late in the draft. He offers Josh Allen a massive red-zone target on day one while he develops into a complete receiver.
“We’re going to be an attacking defense up front and in the back end. We’re going to attack the football… force offenses to try to find your issues and to have to deal with their own problems.”
— Jim Leonhard, Bills Defensive Coordinator
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
The Bills’ championship window remains wide open, but the salary cap realities are tightening. Trading for expensive veterans like Moore forces Beane to hit on cheap rookie contracts. Missing on Day 3 picks this year could leave Buffalo dangerously thin at linebacker and wide receiver by December. Hitting on a freak athlete like Caldwell or a turnover machine like Murdock ensures the Bills maintain the necessary depth to survive the brutal AFC playoff gauntlet. Buffalo currently holds multiple late-round selections, and how they deploy them will directly dictate their ability to secure the division and dethrone the Chiefs.
