As the 2026 NFL draft draws near, the Buffalo Bills face pressing questions about filling critical roles, including a long-overlooked but vital position: the punter. The team’s special teams struggled with inconsistency last season, highlighted by a rotating door at punter. With a full offseason overhaul underway and new head coach Joe Brady taking charge, the Bills are looking for stability in this role to support quarterback Josh Allen’s opportunities on the field.
After cycling through three different punters in 2025 and entering this offseason without a confirmed player for the role, the Bills’ focus on punter need emerges as a quiet but urgent priority, according to journalist Sal Capaccio. This search aims to avoid repeating the special teams challenges that contributed to unstable field position last year, which is critical in a highly competitive environment.
Multiple Punter Changes Highlighted by Bills’ Struggles
Last season, Brad Robbins started as the Bills’ punter but was released after the season opener. Cameron Johnston replaced him but suffered an injury during a game against New Orleans when linebacker Nephi Sewell accidentally collided with his plant leg. This injury forced the Bills to sign a third punter, Michael Wishnowsky, a veteran from Utah who spent six NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before joining Buffalo at age 33.
The revolving punter situation underscored the need for a more permanent solution. New head coach Joe Brady and general manager Brandon Beane have responded by conducting meetings with promising prospects at the NFL Combine, signaling a clear intention to treat the punter position as a key piece to their roster puzzle rather than an afterthought.
Jack Stonehouse: A Strong Candidate With a Family Legacy in Punting
One of the Bills’ main prospects is Syracuse’s Jack Stonehouse, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound redshirt senior from Camarillo, California. After transferring from Missouri in 2023, Stonehouse immediately secured the starting punter role for the Orange. His collegiate stats include 137 punts totaling 6,225 yards with an average of 45.4 yards per punt, 38 punts over 50 yards, 44 punts downed inside the 20-yard line, and only 12 touchbacks.
Stonehouse holds both the highest net punting average in Syracuse history (45.0 yards) and the school’s single-season net punting average record (45.7 yards in 2024). His performance earned him Honorable Mention All-ACC honors in 2024, following a Third Team All-ACC recognition the previous year.
Adding weight to his candidacy is a strong family reputation in punting. Stonehouse’s father was an NFL punter for the New York Giants and USC, while relatives have also played at the collegiate and professional levels, making punting a true family tradition. This pedigree resonates with a Bills organization seeking dependability in a position that often goes unnoticed but affects game outcomes.
Ryan Eckley’s Impressive Big Ten Record Draws Buffalo’s Interest
Another punter on Buffalo’s radar is Michigan State’s Ryan Eckley, who served as the Spartans’ primary punter across three seasons. Eckley was named Big Ten Punter of the Year after setting conference and school records for punting average. His powerful leg was on display at the Senior Bowl, where he executed a 74.4-yard punt that led the opening two practice sessions.
Unlike many specialists, Eckley chose to forgo an additional year of NCAA eligibility after completing his degree in kinesiology, a decision signaling strong confidence in his readiness for the NFL. His athletic background is diverse, having played quarterback, baseball, and basketball during high school. This multi-sport experience aligns with the NFL trend favoring athletic versatility in specialists.
Eckley is projected as a Day 3 draft pick and follows in the footsteps of Michigan State alumni who have made successful NFL careers as specialists, including Brandon Fields and Hall of Famer Morten Andersen.
Buffalo Bills Eye a Draft-Day Solution to Secure Punting Stability
The importance of special teams, especially in playoff scenarios, highlights why the Bills cannot afford another preseason scramble to find a capable punter. Locking down a talented young punter on a rookie contract would not only secure consistent field position for Josh Allen but also allow the front office to concentrate resources on strengthening other offensive and defensive areas.
With Joe Brady’s five-year coaching commitment backed by ownership and Brandon Beane actively reshaping the roster, the Bills are prioritizing even subtle changes. While punter meetings at the combine may not capture widespread attention, their outcome could be pivotal in refining the team’s margins and enhancing their Super Bowl aspirations.
The Bills went through three different punters last year and currently have none under contract for 2026. Syracuse punter Jack Stonehouse and Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley both told me they met with the Bills while at the #NFLCombine
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) February 27, 2026
