Bills’ draft picks haven’t been flashy — they’ve been all-defense to beat the Chiefs

There's only one mission in Buffalo these days: Win a Super Bowl.

For the Bills to do so, they first have to make it to the season's final game. And to do that, they first have to run an AFC gauntlet against the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow.

Those pesky Chiefs, especially, are always at the front of mind for the Bills.

That's why Buffalo's first three draft picks have made so much sense. They're just the right way to finally get over the Kansas City hump, with defense.

Those first three choices through two days of the NFL Draft have been:

• CB Maxwell Hairston out of Kentucky, No. 30 overall
• DT T.J. Sanders out of South Carolina, No. 41 overall
• EDGE Landon Jackson out of Arkansas, No. 72 overall

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Hairston is a high-energy cornerback who runs a 4.28-second 40-yard dash.

Sanders checks in at 6-foot-3, 305 pounds and still runs a 4.95 40.

And Jackson is a physical marvel at 6-foot-5, 264 pounds and an 83-inch wingspan.

They all will fill their roles.

Hairston was needed after the trade away of Kaiir Elam and the non-signing of Rasul Douglas. He can develop into the long-term second boundary corner along with Christian Benford.

The Bills' biggest defensive weakness in 2024 was against the run, and Sanders can help shore that up.

And it's never a bad idea to draft a freakishly athletic pass rusher in the hopes of getting Mahomes on the ground or hurrying.

Buffalo has a wide array of offensive weapons around Josh Allen already. It's no surprise that Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott have chosen the defensive route.

The true outcome of these picks will only be told in January, potentially on a frigid night in Buffalo, as the Bills chase that spot in the Super Bowl with Kansas City's No. 15 on the other side.

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