Buffalo Bills
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Bills get criticized for bold offseaosn moves.
The Buffalo Bills have about a month left before the NFL draft, and they haven’t done much to address the middle linebacker position, but that could change in the next few weeks.
Bills Urged to Sign Veteran Linebacker Germaine Pratt
Buffalo might be waiting until the draft to address its concerns, but Bills On SI writer Alex Braskybelieves the team should pursue free agent linebacker Germaine Pratt.
“If they are to look beyond one of their own in free agency, former Indianapolis Colts LB Germaine Pratt is a logical option,” Brasky wrote on Wednesday. “The 6-foot-3, 250-pound veteran wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg and has seven years of experience as a sound run defender. Pratt could deliver a boost in a much-needed area for the Bills’ defense.”
Pratt has been in the NFL for seven seasons, spending time with the Cincinnati Bengals, the Colts and the Raiders. Over the course of 112 games, Pratt has recorded 742 combined tackles and 3.5 sacks.
If the Bills are looking to bring in a seasoned veteran who has never played for them, Pratt could be an intriguing option. Pro Football Focus ranked Pratt as the 39th linebacker out of 88 last season, making him a solid addition. Plus, he would be a budget-friendly choice, as Spotrac estimated his market value at $2.9 million per year.
The Bills haven’t re-signed veteran linebackers Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson, and both are still free agents. There’s a chance they could return to Buffalo, and Brasky believes Thompson would be a perfect fit for the Bills.
“Thompson would be an ideal fit to return for the Bills,” Brasky wrote. “However, if he is unwilling to spend another year on a low-cost contract in Buffalo, the team should pursue other options, including Milano, who may be a bit more pricey than his former teammate.”
The Bills will likely bring in another veteran linebacker before the draft, but ESPN’s Field Yates has Buffalo taking a linebacker with its first pick in a recent mock draft.
Buffalo Could Select a Linebacker With Its First Draft Pick
Yatespublished a mock draft on Tuesday, featuring the Bills trading out of their first-round selection at No. 26. The Arizona Cardinals then move up to this pick. At the same time, the Bills slide back into the second round at No. 34, where they choose Georgia linebacker CJ Allen.
“The Bills have a significant need at inside linebacker and still get to address it despite moving back eight spots. 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.”
If the Bills consider trading out of the first round, targeting a middle linebacker in the second round could be a fantastic option. Typically, off-ball linebackers tend to drop in the draft since they aren’t valued as highly as other positions. This could give the Bills a chance to land a great linebacker in the second round while also picking up extra draft capital to strengthen their overall draft strategy.