The Buffalo Bills face a significant decision with their No. 26 pick in this year’s NFL Draft, and there’s a strong possibility they’ll choose someone from the defensive side of the ball.
Buffalo needs to bring in a few more defenders to strengthen its defense, particularly those who can adapt to the new scheme set by defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Bills Could Look to Draft Cashius Howell or R Mason Thomas at No. 26
The Bills are in an excellent position with the 26th pick to grab a talented pass rusher who may slide down the draft board. Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer believes that Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell and Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas would be great fits for Buffalo.
“The Bills could use another offensive lineman and a receiver, but the more immediate need—especially with just one pick in the top 90—would be to find more scheme fits for new coordinator Jim Leonhard’s defense,” Breer wrote on Monday. “While they have Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb on the edge, they could add some youth out there (Chubb is probably a band-aid at this point), and explosive guys like Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell and Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas could fit the bill as players who’d start as nickel rushers with the hope they’d grow into more than that. The nickel corner spot is worth looking at too, with mainstay Taron Johnson now gone. And the need for a nose in the Leonhard defense is there, too, with McDonald a potential fit to fill it.”
Who is Cashius Howell?
Howell played five seasons of college football, spending his first three years at Bowling Green before transferring to Texas A&M for his final two seasons. He recorded 35.5 tackles for loss and 27 sacks over the course of 56 games, earning the title of SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2025.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked Howell as his No. 39 overall player and the No. 9 pass rusher in his draft guide, “The Beast.”
“Howell needs to expand the consistency of his impact beyond winning as a high-side rusher, but his athletic twitch, play speed and violent demeanor make for the type of package you bet on at the position,” Brugler wrote on April 8. At worst, he should be a designated pass rusher, with the ceiling of a versatile NFL starter (like Haason Reddick) who can be moved around the front.”
Who is R. Mason Thomas?
Thomas played four seasons at Oklahoma, recording 25.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks over the course of 42 games. Brugler ranked him as the 44th overall prospect and the 10th best pass rusher in this class.
“Thomas is an undersized edge defender who combines first-step quickness with violent play strength and closing burst and never quits working to the football. His ability to vary his rush tempo leads to disruption and will help him find a meaningful role in the NFL,” Brugler added.
It will be interesting to see if the Bills draft one of these two players and, if so, how they will fit into the defense.
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