Brandon Beane general manager Buffalo Bills
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 08: General Manager Brandon Beane of the Buffalo Bills looks on prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Highmark Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
The Buffalo Bills are facing a significant decision during the first round of the NFL draft, and that choice could revolve around whether to stick with the No. 26 pick.
There’s been a lot of speculation that Buffalo could trade up into the first round to draft a receiver to pair with Josh Allen, but ESPN’s Field Yates has a different idea for the Bills.
Yatespublished a two-round mock draft on Tuesday, and while he doesn’t have the Bills trading up, he does have them trading down with the Arizona Cardinals.
Bills Predicted to Make a Big Trade
The Bills would receive a few picks in the trade, but Yates didn’t clearly specify all the draft capital Buffalo would gain. However, it would certainly get back pick No. 34, the Cardinals’ second-round pick.
Yates has Arizona selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 26th overall pick.
“With a hat tip to my pal Jordan Reid — the thought leader behind the Cardinals trading up for Simpson — Arizona can execute its own version of what the Giants accomplished in 2025. New York landed edge rusher Abdul Carter at No. 3 before trading up to take quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25. After taking Arvell Reese up top, the Cardinals can land the clear-cut second-best quarterback in this class here,” Yates wrote.
“Through the early part of the 2025 season, Simpson stood out with his ability to navigate the pocket and throw with accuracy and power when he can set his feet. With Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew on Arizona’s depth chart, the team can bring Simpson along methodically. All 15 of his collegiate starts came this past season.”
Simpson would be a great addition to the Cardinals following their recent split with quarterback Kyler Murray. They could really benefit from bringing in a young starter.
Arizona has the No. 3 pick in the draft, and they could select the best available player. Afterward, it might trade up to secure Simpson, as the Giants did last year when they selected Dart.
Buffalo is Predicted to take CJ Allen
Since Yates has Arizona selecting Simpson with the Bills’ pick, Buffalo selects Georgia linebacker CJ Allen at No. 34.
“The Bills have a significant need at inside linebacker and still get to address it despite moving back eight spots,” Yates added. “Allen is the second-best linebacker in my rankings; he’s a physical player with good range and ability to spot drop into coverage. He added 3.5 sacks in 2025, too.”
Allen played three seasons at Georgia, recording 205 combined tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks over the course of 41 games.
The Bills could benefit from a player like Allen to anchor the middle of their defense. Selecting Allen at No. 34 would be a steal, especially since many draft experts believe he has the potential to be a top 25 pick.
Buffalo could even take a wide receiver with the No. 34 pick, and that would be interesting to see which one it would take, since there could be a handful of receivers that fall out of the first round, like they do almost every year.