The Buffalo Bills have drafted a lot of the best players we’ve ever seen grace an NFL field, including a recent quarterback that’s almost single-handedly elevated them beyond being just weekly football betting favourites, but must-add additions to NFL parlays.
Below, I’ll rank the best Bills draft picks of all time, including that quarterback.
Top Draft Picks in Bills History
7. O.J. Simpson, RB, 1969 (No. 1 Overall)
Simpson played 11 years in the NFL, and nine of those were with the Bills, who took him first overall in 1969.
He ran 2,123 times for 10,183 yards and 57 touchdowns. Those are all second-most in Bills history.
Simpson was the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 1973. He was also a five-time first-team All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowler, led the NFL in scoring, and is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
6. Jim Kelly, QB, 1983 (No. 14 Overall)
While he never won a Super Bowl, Kelly was a first-team All-Pro, a second-team All-Pro, and a five-time Pro Bowler.
He also led the NFL in passing touchdowns (1991), passer rating (1990), and completion percentage (1990).
Kelly holds Bills records in pass completions (2,874), pass attempts (4,779), passing yards (35,467), and passing touchdowns (237).
5. Josh Allen, QB, 2018 (No. 7 Overall)
Allen is still the Bills’ quarterback after going No. 7 overall in 2018.
He was named the NFL MVP in 2024 and has already secured other accolades, including being named a second-team All-Pro twice, and has been to four Pro Bowls.
Through the 2025-26 season, he’s quickly closing in on franchise records set by Jim Kelly, including passing yards, passing touchdowns, and wins.
In addition to his passing, though, Allen is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks, racking up 4,721 rushing yards and 79 touchdowns through his first eight seasons.
4. Joe DeLamielleure, G, 1973 (No. 26 Overall)
DeLamielleure was with the Bills from 1973 to 1979, and during his time with the team, he was a three-time first-team All-Pro, a two-time second-team All-Pro, and a five-time Pro Bowler.
He’s a member of the Bills’ Wall of Fame, their 50th anniversary team, and he’s enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
3. Andre Reed, WR, 1985 (No. 86 Overall)
A fourth-round pick, Reed had a phenomenal NFL career, spending almost all of it with the Bills from 1985 to 1999. He was a two-time second-team All-Pro, a seven-time Pro Bowler, and holds the Bills career marks for targets (1,585), receptions (941), receiving yards (13,095), and receiving touchdowns (86).
2. Thurman Thomas, RB, 1988 (No. 40 Overall)
The Bills have had some fantastic running backs in their history, and Thomas is arguably the best. He was the 40th overall pick in 1988 and was named NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 1991. He was also a two-time first-team All-Pro, three-time second-team All-Pro, and went to five Pro Bowls.
He holds the franchise records for carries (2,849), rushing yards (11,938), and rushing touchdowns (65).
The Bills retired his No. 34, and he’s enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1. Bruce Smith, DE, 1985 (No. 1 Overall)
Smith is one of the best defensive players ever to suit up for an NFL team.
He played 15 seasons with the Bills, during which he was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, an eight-time first-team All-Pro, a three-time second-team All-Pro, made 11 Pro Bowls, and was a co-leader in the NFL in forced fumbles twice.
Smith had 171 sacks during his time with the Bills, a franchise record that will likely never be broken. He also holds the NFL record for sacks, with an even 200, adding 29 more in his time with Washington.
The Bills retired his No. 78 and, of course, he’s enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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