Top 50 Buffalo Bills
Say what you want about the Buffalo Bills in the early 1990s.At the end of the day, there was only one professional football team that went to the Super Bowl four years in a row, and while they did not win any of them or any Super Bowls for that matter, the accomplishment of getting there four times consecutively should be celebrated.
The history of the Buffalo Bills dates back to 1960, where they were charter members of the American Football League and were part of the AFL/NFL merger. This list will include AFL accomplishments, and it is forgotten that the Bills were two-time AFL Champions (1964 and 1965).
This list is up to the end of the 2024 regular season.
Note: Football lists are based on an amalgamation of tenure, traditional statistics, advanced statistics, playoff statistics and post-season accolades.
Drafted first overall in the 1985 NFL Draft from Virginia Tech, Bruce Smith came to Western New York with high expectations and quickly proved himself. Although Buffalo's explosive K-Gun offense frequently made headlines nationally, Smith was the true driving force of the team, dominating opposing backfields for 15 seasons and becoming the all-time leading sack artist in football history. Smith…
Thurman Thomas was drafted 40th overall in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft from Oklahoma State, after falling past the first round due to knee concerns, but he arrived in Buffalo determined to prove himself. Teaming up with Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, and coach Marv Levy, Thomas became central to the iconic "K-Gun" fast-paced offense, transforming the running…
Drafted first overall in the 1969 AFL-NFL Draft from USC after winning the Heisman Trophy, Orenthal James Simpson joined Buffalo amid huge expectations as one of the most highly touted college prospects in football history. His early career was limited by head coach John Rauch's mismanagement of his skills, resulting in modest stats during his first three seasons. Everything changed…
Drafted 14th overall in the renowned 1983 NFL Draft class originating from Miami, Jim Kelly initially expressed reluctance regarding the prospect of playing in Western New York, choosing instead to sign with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL. After two outstanding seasons within the spring league, the USFL ceased operations, prompting Kelly to relocate northward and join Buffalo in 1986.…
OFFICIAL LAS VEGAS RAIDERS TICKET + HOTEL PACKAGES
May 16, 2026
Buy your Tickets to see Official Las Vegas Raiders Ticket + Hotel Packages HERE!
BALTIMORE RAVENS V JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Nov 06, 2026
Buy your Tickets to see Baltimore Ravens v Jacksonville Jaguars HERE!
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS VS. LOS ANGELES RAMS
Nov 08, 2026
Buy your Tickets to see Washington Commanders vs. Los Angeles Rams HERE!
CAROLINA PANTHERS V DENVER BRONCOS
Nov 08, 2026
Buy your Tickets to see Carolina Panthers v Denver Broncos HERE!
Drafted seventh overall in 2018 from Wyoming, Josh Allen entered Western New York as a promising prospect with strong arm skills and athletic ability. Since Jim Kelly's retirement in 1996, Buffalo had been seeking a franchise quarterback for more than twenty years. Despite initial doubts about his passing accuracy, Allen soon became one of the most dynamic and exciting dual-threat…
Selected in the fourth round (86th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft out of Division II Kutztown University, Andre Reed arrived in Buffalo as a small-school prospect with raw athletic upside. He quickly shattered expectations, spending 15 seasons as Jim Kelly's most dependable target and establishing himself as one of the most prolific wide receivers in NFL history. Reed revolutionized…
With the stars that the Buffalo Bills had in the late ’80s and early ’90s, you needed a capable leader of the Offensive Line, which they had in Mississippi State alumni, Kent Hull.
Billy Shaw, drafted in the second round of the 1961 AFL Draft out of Georgia Tech, faced a crucial decision. Picked at the same time by the Dallas Cowboys in the 14th round of the NFL Draft, Shaw chose Western New York because the Bills saw him as a mobile left guard, while Dallas considered him a linebacker. This decision…
Selected 26th overall in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft from Michigan State, Joe DeLamielleure arrived in Buffalo under immediate pressure to enhance the franchise's offensive line. Paired with tackle Donnie Green and guard Reggie McKenzie, "Joe D" became the central force of the renowned "Electric Company"—the offensive line celebrated for "turning the Juice loose" and propelling O.J.…
Ruben Brown played nine seasons for the Buffalo Bills and secured eight Pro Bowl invitations, a whopping percentage! Brown, who would also be named to another Pro Bowl as a Chicago Bear would start all of his 136 Games Played as a Bill. He would be chosen for the Second Team All-Pro roster four times and is arguably one of…
Drafted in the second round (32nd overall) of the 1979 NFL Draft out of Boston College, Fred Smerlas arrived in Western New York as a relentless, physical force. Tipping the scales at 6 feet 3 inches and 275 pounds, he redefined nose tackle play in Chuck Knox’s 3-4 defense, anchoring the center of Buffalo's front line during an era of…
Taken second overall in the 1987 NFL Draft by Indianapolis out of Alabama, Cornelius Bennett landed in Buffalo following a blockbuster three-way trade before ever playing a down for the Colts. Joining a talent-rich core featuring Bruce Smith, Darryl Talley, and Shane Conlan, "Biscuit" brought rare, world-class athletic traits that elevated Ted Cottrell and Walt Corey's defense into an aggressive,…
Mike Stratton is a forgotten piece of Buffalo Bills Football lore, which is unfortunate as he was a dominating Linebacker during the 1960’s who in the 1964 AFL Championship game executed “The Hit Heard Round the World” when he stopped San Diego’s Keith Lincoln and took him out of the contest. That hit changed the momentum of the game, which…
Chosen in the second round (39th overall) of the 1983 NFL Draft by Buffalo from West Virginia—where he earned unanimous All-American honors—Darryl Talley joined Western New York as an energetic and formidable defender. Throughout his twelve-season tenure with Buffalo, "Spider-Man" established himself as an essential defensive pillar, exhibiting exceptional durability and extensive sideline-to-sideline coverage during the franchise's most illustrious period.…
Tom Sestak joined Western New York as a 17th-round pick (132nd overall) in the 1962 AFL Draft from McNeese State. He quickly established himself as one of the most dominant defensive players in professional football. Throughout his seven-year career, he remained with the Bills, anchoring the interior of a formidable defensive line that led Buffalo to two consecutive league championships.…
Jack Kemp would actually become more famous for his foray into politics, but in Buffalo he was an exceptional Quarterback who would lead the Bills to two AFL Championships.
Carlton Chester "Cookie" Gilchrist embarked on one of the most unconventional journeys in football history. After initially signing a contract with the Cleveland Browns straight out of high school, which was then quickly revoked, Gilchrist chose to skip college and instead played in Canadian amateur leagues before entering the CFL. He spent six seasons in Canada, including winning a Grey…
Drafted in the second round (63rd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft from Temple, Dion Dawkins joined Western New York as a versatile, athletic lineman. He took over the starting left tackle position midway through his rookie season and quickly became a key part of Buffalo's rebuilding efforts, serving as the primary protector for star quarterback Josh Allen. Dawkins, standing…
Selected in the fifth round (134th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft out of LSU, Kyle Williams was widely written off by talent evaluators as undersized for an interior defensive lineman. Standing 6 feet 1 inch and tipping the scales around 300 pounds, "Meatball" proved his doubters wrong almost instantly, seizing a starting job as a rookie and serving as…
