Context:

Buffalo intends to have a legendary former player announce one of its 2025 draft selections in Pittsburgh: Shane Conlan, the Bills’ top pick from the 1987 draft and a three-time Pro Bowler who helped the team reach two Super Bowls. The Bills’ draft slate starts at No. 26 overall in Round 1, with no second-round pick after trading for DJ Moore, and six selections remaining in rounds 3–7 as they address needs at linebacker, cornerback, edge rushing, and wide receiver. Conlan’s appearance continues a tradition of high-profile former players hosting picks, underscoring Buffalo’s push to maximize this draft amid roster holes. While it’s unclear which specific pick he’ll reveal, the event signals a critical moment for GM Brandon Beane and a franchise aiming to sustain championship contention. The piece also surveys several potential targets across positions that could fill those gaps and help the team bounce back toward competitive form.

Dive Deeper:

• Shane Conlan, a Western New York native and 1987 first-round Bills pick, will be on hand in Pittsburgh to reveal one of Buffalo’s selections at the NFL Draft. It’s not specified which of the seven remaining picks he’ll announce, but his appearance marks a three-decade return to the spotlight after a storied playing career.

• Conlan was a three-time Pro Bowler for Buffalo in the late 1980s and early 1990s and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors after his first season, tallying 114 tackles. He was part of the Bills’ 1991 and 1992 teams that advanced to the Super Bowl, and he gained additional notoriety from a past Sports Illustrated cover featuring a hard hit on Jay Schroeder.

• Buffalo’s 2025 draft begins at No. 26 in Round 1, and the team does not hold a second-round selection due to the DJ Moore trade; six picks remain across Rounds 3 through 7 to address key roster holes at linebacker, cornerback, edge rusher, and wide receiver.

• Potential targets discussed include Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday for Day 2, Texas corner Malik Muhammad for rounds 2–3, UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence for pass-rush depth, and Oregon wide receiver Malik Benson for later rounds to inject speed into Buffalo’s aerial attack.

• The draft strategy is framed as a pivotal moment for GM Brandon Beane, with emphasis on delivering high-impact selections to maintain championship contention; Conlan’s role is framed as a nod to the team’s history and a hopeful catalyst for current success.