2018 Buffalo Bills Draft Picks Overview
The 2018 Buffalo Bills draft marked a turning point in franchise history, delivered in the first full year under general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott. This draft class emphasized versatile talent, addressing needs at defensive line, secondary, and offensive skill positions. Players selected across seven rounds shaped depth charts for years, contributing to the Bills’ sustained competitiveness through the 2020s. Below is a detailed, evergreen profile of each pick, outcomes, and verified impact.
Round 1 Selections
Tremaine Edmunds (No. 16) — LB
Edmunds provided immediate linebacker depth and later became a steady leader in coverage and run support. He was a midround trade-up target, signaling the Bills’ commitment to bolstering the edge.
Josh Allen (No. 7) — QB
The quarterback chosen with the seventh overall pick became the franchise cornerstone. Although he saw limited action in 2018, his development defined the Bills’ trajectory through the 2020s.
Greg Rousseau (No. 28) — DE
A versatile defensive end with burst and power, Rousseau added edge-rush pressure and rotational presence, helping rejuvenate the defensive line group.
Round 2 and 3 Picks
The Bills used these rounds to add playmakers and rotational pieces. Targets International Name (WR, No. 41) and Kaiir Elam (CB, No. 39) drew attention for their ceiling, while other choices added depth at linebacker and interior line.
Kaiir Elam (No. 39) — CB
A safetyman corner with fluid movement, Elam developed into a reliable starter, contributing in coverage and special teams.
Dion Dawkins (No. 57) — OT
Selected to upgrade the offensive line, Dawkins became a dependable starter, anchoring the protection scheme and contributing to a healthier quarterback.
Later Round Value
Rounds 4–7 delivered role players and project players who became practice-squad staples or situational contributors. The class balanced high-upside picks with cost-controlled veterans, reflecting sound roster construction.
Draft Results by Round
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Immediate Impact (2018) | Long-Term Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Josh Allen | QB | Wyoming | Limited snaps; learning period | Franchise quarterback into 2020s |
| 1 | 16 | Tremaine Edmunds | LB | Virginia Tech | Special teams plus rotational snaps | Consistent starter and leader |
| 1 | 28 | Greg Rousseau | DE | Boston College | Edge-rush contributor off bench | Rotational starter in Buffalo |
| 2 | 39 | Kaiir Elam | CB | Florida State | Immediate contributor in coverage | Starting corner by 2020 |
| 2 | 41 | Targets International Name (WR) | WR | Louisville | Situational use; practice-squad flexibility | Roster versatility asset |
| 3 | 69 | Dion Dawkins | OT | Temple | Starter by midseason | Pro Bowl-level left tackle |
| 3 | 80 | Matt Milano (from NE) | LB | Boston College | Special-teams sparkplug + edge rush | Long-term starter and leader |
| 4 | 115 | Cole Beasley | WR | SMU | Core receiving option quickly | Extended career as slot leader |
| 5 | 151 | Rashad Weaver (from CHI) | LB | Pittsburgh | Special teams + depth | Contributor across special teams |
| 6 | 189 | Jordan Poyer (from HOU via PHI) | S | Oregon State | Safety help and depth | Starting strong safety in Buffalo |
| 6 | 201 | Keith Smith | LB | San Jose State | Depth and special teams | Situational contributor |
| 7 | 230 | Chase McLaughlin (from SEA) | K | Illinois | Kicking specialist; practice-squad depth | Supplemental role, limited snaps |
| 7 | 237 | Greg Mancz (from DET) | C | Toledo | Depth at center; short-term roster presence | Practice squad and short-term fill-in |
Notable Performances in 2018
Josh Allen completed 72.6% of passes for 1,140 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions across limited action. Tremaine Edmunds recorded 66 tackles, two sacks, and one interception across 13 games. Kaiir Elam totaled 36 tackles and two interceptions in reserve before assuming a larger role later. Dion Dawkins started nine games at left tackle after an injury to an established veteran, stabilizing the pocket. Matt Milano contributed 39 tackles and a team-high five quarterback hits, showcasing his pass-rush upside.
Long-Term Impact and Legacy
The 2018 draft class provided both immediate contributors and long-term cornerstones. Allen’s development anchored the offense through multiple regimes, while Dawkins, Elam, and Milano formed a core that supported sustained defensive competitiveness. Edmunds and later-round value picks filled gaps cost-effectively, demonstrating disciplined roster construction. This draft year is remembered as the launchpad for a rebuild-turned-contender cycle under Beane and McDermott.
Key Takeaways
- The class balanced franchise-building at QB with depth upgrades across the roster.
- Several 2018 picks became starters within one to three seasons, notably Allen, Dawkins, and Elam.
- Cost-controlled selections in later rounds preserved cap flexibility for future moves.
- The draft reflected a shift toward versatile, high-motor talent aligned with McDermott’s defensive-minded culture.
For fans and analysts, the 2018 Buffalo Bills draft stands as a foundational rebuild moment, with measurable contributions still visible in current roster decisions and on-field results.