Assembling an all-time Buffalo Bills 53-man roster

Have you ever wondered how a 53-man roster of the best Buffalo Bills players of all time would look? How would your favorite Bills players of today stack up in a position battle against the best players in franchise history? Would they make the cut?

I’ve used Pro Football Reference’s “Approximate Value” to help decide who the best of the best Buffalo Bills are at each position—creating a 53-man roster of the greatest players in their 62-year history. The players are ranked on single-season AV values—NOT career values.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with “Approximate Value” (also known as AV), PFR created this figure in an attempt to attach a single number to every player-season since 1960.

Unfortunately, I had to remove all pre-1970 merger players as I wanted this to be an equal playing field and there were only 10 AFL teams when it disbanded in 1969. So, sorry to the AFL guys—Butch Byrd, Cookie Gilchrist, Billy Shaw, Mike Stratton, Elbert Dubenion, Jack Kemp, etc.
Also, there is a very strong omission that I must note. Seven-time first team All-Pro special teamer Steve Tasker (put Steve Tasker in the Hall of Fame!) is not a part of this list. Although he is the BEST gunner in NFL history and put special teams on the map, his AV as a wide receiver wasn’t good, so with a heavy-heart he has been omitted from this list.

With all that being said, I give to you the Buffalo Bills all-time 53-man roster:

Quarterback

1.‘21 Josh Allen (AV 19)
Was there any doubt Josh Allen and Jim Kelly would be on this all-time team? Allen actually led the NFL in AV in 2021, throwing for 4,400+ yards and 36 TDs while running for 763 yards and 6 TDs. He was, however, a Pro Bowl snub.

2. ’91 Jim Kelly (AV 17)
In 1991, Jim Kelly was selected first team All-Pro and finished 2nd in the MVP race (behind Thurman Thomas). He led the league in TD passes in only 15 games.

Honorable Mention: ’16 Tyrod Taylor (AV 15), ’75 Joe Ferguson (AV 14), ’98 & ’99 Doug Flutie (AV 14), ’02 Drew Bledsoe (AV 14)

Running Back

1.’75 OJ Simpson (AV 25)
The Juice has the highest single-season AV in Bills history, and it DIDN’T come in his historic ‘73 2000 yard rushing season—it came in 1975. ’75 OJ Simpson ran for 1,817 yards/16 TDs, but what separates this season from the ’73 season is OJ’s 426 receiving yards—by far the best in his career. OJ was a first team All-Pro, but somehow finished second in the MVP race to Fran Tarkenton in 1975.

2.’91 Thurman Thomas (AV 20)
1991 was perhaps the best Buffalo Bills team of all time. Thurman Thomas was the catalyst behind their success. The first team All-Pro won MVP that season and was the AP Offensive Player of the year. His 2,038 total yards from scrimmage led the league.

3.’80, ’81 Joe Cribbs (AV 13)
Joe Cribbs’s first four seasons in Buffalo were as good as any other running back in Bills history. In 1980, his rookie year, Cribbs ran for 1,185 yards and 11 TDs, along with 415 receiving yards. The next year, he had even more yards from scrimmage, hitting 1,700 along with 10 TDs. He was a Pro Bowler in three of his first four seasons.

4.’16 Lesean McCoy (AV 13)
By the time Lesean McCoy was traded to the Bills, prior to the 2015 season, he was on the backside of his career. That doesn’t mean he didn’t have some solid seasons in Buffalo. In 2016, Shady picked up 1,623 yards from scrimmage and 14 total touchdowns, earning him Pro Bowl honors.

Honorable Mention: ‘12 CJ Spiller (AV 13), ’02 Travis Henry (AV 13), ’05 Willis McGahee (AV 11)

Fullback

1.’75 Jim Braxton (AV 12)
Behind every successful running back is a forgotten fullback. Jim Braxton in 1975 not only led the way for first team All-Pro OJ Simpson, he also had 1,105 yards from scrimmage and 13 total touchdowns!

Honorable Mention: ’79 Curtis Brown (AV 7)

Wide Receiver

1.’98 Eric Moulds (AV 17)
Do you remember the 1998 Bills? New “franchise” quarterback, Rob Johnson, led them to an 0-3 start before getting injured. Enter Doug Flutie. Eric Moulds and Flutie were electric that season. Moulds’ 1,368 yards in 1998 set a then-team record. He also caught 9 TDs which earned him his first of three Pro Bowls. Eric Moulds was a badass.

2.’20 Stefon Diggs (AV 15)
Stefon Diggs had a career year in 2020 and was a main catalyst for Josh Allen’s breakout year. His 127 receptions and 1,535 yards led the league and earned him first team All-Pro honors.

3.’89, ’91, ’94 Andre Reed (AV 14)
And then there’s Andre Reed. Reed had an AV value of 14 in three different seasons and was Jim Kelly’s main target in all of his 11 seasons. Somehow, in ’91, Andre was able to put up 1,113 yards and 10 TDs even with that ball-hog MVP Thurman Thomas having his best season. Another reason why that 1991 Bills team might be their best ever.

4.’91 James Lofton (AV 13)
Speaking of the ’91 Bills—James Lofton ALSO put up 1000+ receiving yards that year with 8 TDs. His 13 AV that season is the 4th best for a receiver in team history.

5.’06 Lee Evans (AV 11)
Lee Evans was a baller. He often gets overlooked because he was on some BAD Bills teams. I mean, if JP Losman and Trent Edwards were your main quarterbacks during your career and you could still put up respectable numbers as a wide receiver, you must be doing something right! Lee Evans’ ’06 season saw him put up 1,292 yards and 8 TDs, earning every bit of his AV 11.

6.’81 Frank Lewis (AV 11)
If you’re 50 years or younger, you probably don’t remember Frank Lewis. Lewis played for the Bills from ’78-’83 and had two 1000+ yard seasons. In his ’81 year, though, he had 70 receptions/1,244 receiving yards and earned his only Pro Bowl nod.

7.’02 Peerless Price (AV 11)
Drew Bledsoe came out FIRING in his first year as a Bill in 2002. The beneficiaries of this were not only his main target, Eric Moulds, but also Peerless Price. Peerless caught 94 balls for 1,252 yards and 9 TDs. His AV 11 in 2002 was by far his best season as a pro.

Honorable Mention: ’75 JD Hill (AV 10)

Tight End

1.’93 Pete Metzelaars (AV 6)
Pete Metzelaars was a reliable target for Jim Kelly in the K-Gun offense. His ’93 season was his career best, as he caught 68 passes for 609 yards and 4 TDs.

2.’21 Dawson Knox (AV 6)
The Buffalo Bills have not had a standout tight end in their 62-year history, but maybe Dawson Knox changes this. After a sluggish start to his career, Knox caught 71 balls for 587 yards and 9 TDs in 2021. He’s proving to be a favorite target of Josh Allen.

Honorable Mention: ’90 Keith McKeller (AV 6), ’16 Charles Clay (AV 6)

Offensive Line

1.’21 Dion Dawkins, Tackle (AV 12)
Being the starting left tackle on an elite offense helps your AV score. Dion Dawkins fits this mold. In 2021, Dion was selected to his first Pro Bowl after protecting the Bills most valuable asset, Josh Allen.

2.’75 Joe DeLamielleure, Guard (AV 16)
When you’re the main dude in the “Electric Company” and your offense leads the league in total offense, rushing, rushing average, points, touchdowns and touchdown passes; you’re going to have a high AV score. Joe DeLamielleure earned his first of three consecutive first team All-Pro honors in 1975 and would eventually have his bust in Canton.

3.’90 Kent Hull, Center (AV 17)
Kent Hull was the anchor of the 1990’s K-Gun offense. An offense so potent that it now sees FOUR Hall of Fame players, a Hall of Fame Coach, AND a Hall of Fame General Manager. Why Kent Hull doesn’t receive serious HOF considerations is beyond me. In 1990, he was a first team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler. He’d go on to be a first team All-Pro in ’91 as well. (Put Kent Hull in the HOF!)

4.’91 Jim Ritcher, Guard (AV 14)
Jim Ritcher was another solid piece of those ‘90s Super Bowl teams that were so explosive. In ’91, Ritcher was selected to his first of two Pro Bowls. Oh yeah—Ritcher also played in 203 games as a Buffalo Bill!

5.’92 Howard Ballard, Tackle (AV 11)
The House! Howard Ballard was yet another solid offensive lineman during the glory years. In ’92, he earned his first of two Pro Bowls.

6.’02 Ruben Brown, Guard (AV 13)
Ruben Brown is another player who deserves Hall of Fame consideration. He was the best offensive lineman for that explosive 2002 offense that saw a 4200+ yard passer, a 1400+ yard running back and multiple thousand-yard receivers. He’d go on to be selected to nine Pro Bowls.

7.’75 Reggie McKenzie, Guard (AV 13)
Another member of the “Electric Company,” Reggie McKenzie was the other guard who paved the way for 1975’s potent offense.

8.’16 Richie Incognito, Guard (AV 11)
Say what you want about him, but Richie Incognito was solid. His play in ’16 helped make a Pro Bowler out of Lesean McCoy. Incognito would go to the Pro Bowl that year himself.

9.’15 Eric Wood, Center (AV 10)
Eric Wood helped pave the way for both Tyrod Taylor and Lesean McCoy to reach the Pro Bowl in 2015. He’d go on to the Pro Bowl himself that year as well.

10.’90 Will Wolford, Tackle (AV 10)
Yup—four of the five starting offensive linemen from the Super Bowl years have great AV values. Go figure! Wolford’s first of three Pro Bowl nods came in 1990.

Honorable Mention: ’08 Jason Peters (AV 10), ’21 Daryl Williams (AV 10), ’94 John Davis (AV 9), ’94 Glenn Parker (AV 9), ’89 Joe Devlin (AV 9), ’16 Jordan Mills (AV 9)

Defensive End

1.’96 Bruce Smith (AV 21)
Probably the greatest Buffalo Bill of all-time! Bruce is the Bills career leader in AV value by far. As you know, he had many incredible seasons, but his ’96 season stands out. He had 13.5 sacks that year, led the league in forced fumbles, was a first team All-Pro, and was named Defensive Player of the Year. Bruce had 10 different seasons with an AV value above 14!

2.’14 Mario Williams (AV 19)
Mario Williams had some solid years in Buffalo. He was a first team All-Pro in 2014, amassing 14.5 sacks. Unfortunately, the Bills offense was garbage during his tenure there.

3.’06 Aaron Schobel (AV 14)
Schobel had a career year in 2006. He led the team in sacks with 14 and went to his first of two consecutive Pro Bowls.

4.’82 Ben Williams (AV 12)
In a strike-shortened regular season, Ben Williams had four sacks and an interception in his only Pro Bowl season.

5.’19 Trent Murphy (AV 12)
In 2019, Trent Murphy was solid for the Bills. In 16 starts, he had 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 interception.

Honorable Mention: ’14, ‘19 Jerry Hughes (AV 10), ’21 Gregory Rousseau (AV 10)

Defensive Tackle

1.’82 Fred Smerlas (AV 18)
Fred Smerlas was the main reason the Bermuda Triangle was a top-7 defense from 1980-1982. He was selected a first team All-Pro in 1982, also earning his third of five Pro Bowls that season. Fred Smerlas is the greatest defensive tackle in Buffalo Bills history (sorry Kyle Williams).

2.’14 Marcell Dareus (AV 18)
The Bills had a top-4 defense in 2014. Leading the way was Marcell Dareus (along with Mario Williams and Kyle Williams). That season he received first team All-Pro honors and went to his second Pro Bowl. Unfortunately, after the 2014 season, Marcell fell off a cliff.

3.’97 Ted Washington (AV 13)
Ted Washington had a solid six years in Buffalo, where he enjoyed three Pro Bowl selections. His 1997 season was his most dominant, when he and Bruce Smith held down a top-10 defense.

4.’10, ’14, ’18 Kyle Williams (AV 12)
Kyle Williams was a shining star during some of the worst football in Bills history. Can you name more of a fan favorite during “The Drought”? Kyle Williams was consistent—with an AV of 10 or higher four different times. He also was selected to the Pro Bowl in 6 of his 13 years in the league.

5.’96 Phil Hanson (AV 12)
Perhaps one of the most underrated Bills on this list, Phil Hanson quietly had three years with an AV above 10.

Honorable Mention: ’04 Sam Adams (AV 11), ’03 Pat Williams (AV 10), ’21 Ed Oliver (AV 10), ’19 Star Lotulelei (AV 10)

Linebacker

1.’88 Cornelius Bennett (AV 17)
In Cornelius Bennett’s first full season in Buffalo, he came out swinging. His 1988 campaign saw him receive first team All-Pro honors and his first of five Pro Bowl nods. The ’88 defense was ranked top 5 in the NFL (other Pro Bowlers included Bruce Smith, Shane Conlan and Fred Smerlas). “Biscuit” was also a main character in the Super Bowl years.

2.’95 Bryce Paup (AV 17)
What a great signing Bryce Paup was for the Bills in 1995. The guy came in and was not only a first team All-Pro, but he led the league in sacks and won Defensive Player of the Year!

3.’04 Takeo Spikes (AV 17)
Before his achilles injury early in the 2005 season, Takeo Spikes was among the best linebackers in the league. His second year in Buffalo was his best, as he earned first team All-Pro honors and his second Pro Bowl. He also had two pick sixes.

4.’19 Tremaine Edmunds (AV 14)
Tremaine Edumunds has quietly become an extremely consistent middle linebacker for the Bills since he was drafted in 2018. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in ’19 and ’20.

5.’91 Darryl Talley (AV 12)
Another cog on the Super Bowl teams, Darryl Talley played outside linebacker for 12 seasons with the Bills. His best seasons were ’90 (AV 11) and ’91 (AV 12) when he was selected to the Pro Bowl.

Honorable Mention: ’88, ’90 Shane Conlan (AV 12), ’00 Sam Cowart (AV 12), ’16 Zach Brown (AV 12), ’96 Chris Spielman (AV 12)

Cornerback

1.’19 Tre’Davious White (AV 19)
Bills Mafia is witnessing the greatest cornerback in the team’s history! In 2019, Tre White was a first team All-Pro and led the league in interceptions. He was the best defensive player on a top-3 defense that year. Hopefully Tre can get back to full strength this season.

2.’73, ’74 Robert James (AV 16)
Robert James is a name most Bills fans under the age of 60 aren’t familiar with. James was selected first team All-Pro in back-to-back seasons in the early 70’s. He only had a six-year career but made the Pro Bowl in half of them. He’s also a member of the Bills Wall of Fame.

3.’04 Terrence McGee (AV 15)
Another “Drought” favorite, Terrence McGee went to a Pro Bowl in 2004 more for his kick return ability than his cornerback play. Terrence returned three touchdowns that year.

4.’93 Nate Odomes (AV 13)
In 1993 Nate Odomes led the league in interceptions with 9. He was another important component in the Super Bowl teams’ defenses.

5.’04 Nate Clements (AV 12)
Nate Clements started 91 games in 6 years for the Bills. He was a consistent, hard-hitting cornerback who made the Pro Bowl in ’04 when he had six interceptions and returned a punt for a touchdown.

6.’79, ’81 Mario Clark (AV 9)
Mario Clark started 113 games for the Bills over 8 seasons and ranks 6th all-time for the team in interceptions.

Honorable Mention: ’99 Thomas Smith (AV 9), ’73 Dwight Harrison (AV 8), ’79, ’80, ’81 Charles Romes (AV 8), ’96 Jeff Burris (AV 8), ’96 Ken Irvin (AV 8)

Safety

1.’74 Tony Greene (AV 14)
Little-known Tony Greene played all over in the secondary for the Bills from 1971-’79. His main position, however, was free safety where he was a first team All-Pro in 1974 and went to the Pro Bowl in ’77. His 37 interceptions rank SECOND in Bills history.

2. ’92 Henry Jones (AV 13)
Henry Jones was a key to the Bills success in the early nineties. He was a first team All-Pro in 1992 and earned his only Pro Bowl nod after leading the league in interceptions and INT return yards. He also scored two TDs off interceptions.

3. ’21 Jordan Poyer (AV 13)
Jordan Poyer is one half of perhaps the GREATEST Bills safety tandem in team history—maybe one of the greatest in NFL history. Poyer enjoyed his only first team All-Pro in ’21, intercepting 5 passes and was the leader of the top-ranked defense.

Honorable Mention: ’21 Micah Hyde (AV 12), ’80 Steve Freeman (AV 10), ’99 Kurt Schulz (AV 10)

Special Teams

Kicker: ’88 Scott Norwood (AV 6)
When the Bills win a Super Bowl this year, I think the person I’ll feel happiest for is Scott Norwood. Scott enjoyed the best kicking year in team history in 1988 when he was named first team All-Pro and went to the Pro Bowl.

Punter: ’03 Brian Moorman (AV 4)
Another “Drought” favorite, Brian Moorman boomed his way to back-to-back first team All-Pro seasons in ’05 and ’06.

Long Snapper: ’09-’16 Garrison Sanborn (AV 2)
Sanborn was long-snapper for the Bills for seven years.