Buffalo Bills Draft Fun Facts

Buffalo Bills Draft Picks

Here are some fried facts (fun, crispy, and maybe a little spicy) about the Buffalo Bills' draft picks over the years:

1. The Jim Kelly Draft Snub

The Bills drafted Jim Kelly in the 1983 NFL Draft (1st round, 14th overall), but he refused to play for them at first, opting for the USFL instead.

After the USFL folded, Kelly finally joined Buffalo in 1986—leading them to four straight Super Bowls.

2. Bruce Smith – The Greatest Bill Ever Drafted?

Bruce Smith (1985, 1st overall) is the only Bills draft pick in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (so far).

He’s the NFL’s all-time sack leader (200)—though the league didn’t officially count sacks until 1982.

3. The Bills Once Drafted a Future Hall of Famer… Who Never Played for Them

In 1983, the Bills drafted CB Darrell Green in the 12th round… but he chose to stay in college and re-entered the draft in 1984, going to Washington.

Green became a 7-time Pro Bowler and 2-time Super Bowl champ—just not with Buffalo.

4. The Worst Draft Pick in Bills History?

RB Booker Moore (1981, 1st round, 28th overall) played just three seasons due to injuries and illness, finishing with zero touchdowns.

Meanwhile, future Hall of Famers Mike Singletary and Rickey Jackson were drafted right after him.

5. Josh Allen Was Almost Someone Else

Before trading up for Josh Allen (2018, 7th overall), the Bills were heavily linked to Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold.

Allen was considered a 'project' with accuracy issues—now he’s a MVP candidate and the face of the franchise.

6. The Bills Once Drafted a Punter in the 1st Round

In 1979, Buffalo selected P Tom Skladany in the 1st round (pick 19)… but he never signed and played in the NFL for other teams.

The Bills ended up with no 1st-round pick that year.

7. The 'No WR in Round 1' Curse (Until 2024)

Before 2024, the Bills had never drafted a WR in the 1st round in the 21st century.

They finally broke the streak by trading up for Keon Coleman (2024, 33rd overall—technically 2nd round, but close enough).

8. The Bills Drafted a Future MLB All-Star

In 1998, Buffalo drafted QB Todd Helton in the 2nd round—but he chose baseball instead.

Helton became a 5-time MLB All-Star and Colorado Rockies legend.

9. The Steal of the 2017 Draft

CB Tre’Davious White (2017, 27th overall) was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro before injuries derailed his career in Buffalo.

Many thought he was a top-10 talent that slipped due to LSU’s defensive scheme.

10. The Bills Once Drafted a Guy Who Played in the XFL… Before the XFL Existed

RB Sammy Morris (2000, 5th round) played in the original XFL (2001) during the NFL offseason—then returned to the NFL and had a 10-year career.

BONUS: The 'Almost a Bill' Draft Misses

The Bills passed on:

Tom Brady (2000) – Taken 199th; Bills took DB Travares Tillman (58th).

Patrick Mahomes (2017) – Bills traded out of 10th overall (Chiefs took him) and got Tre’Davious White instead.

Would you like any specific deep dives into a particular draft era? 🔥🏈

Buffalo Bills Draft Fun Facts

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