4 Oct 1998: Defensive end Bruce Smith #78 of the Buffalo Bills in action during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills defeated the 49ers 26-21.

Have you ever wondered how a 53-man roster of the Buffalo Bills’ best all-time players 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 64-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 value to each player’s season since 1960. 

Through Pro Football Reference, I reviewed over 1,000 current and former Buffalo Bills players’ seasonal AV values and ranked them by position. 

I present to you the ALL-TIME BUFFALO BILLS 53-MAN ROSTER:

Quarterbacks

1. ’22 Josh Allen (AV 20)

Was there any doubt Josh Allen and Jim Kelly would be on this All-Time team?  Allen led the NFL in AV in 2021, throwing for 4400+ yards/36 TDs and running for 763 yards/6 TDs.  His AV also led the league in 2022.  2023 Josh Allen was the first quarterback to rush for 15 touchdowns in a season and led the league in total touchdowns.  The man is a creature from outer space.

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 Backs

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 1817 yards/16 TDs, but what differentiates 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 2038 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 1185 yards/11 TDs along with 415 receiving yards.  The next year, he had even more yards from scrimmage, hitting 1700 along with 10 TDs.  Three of Cribbs’s first four years saw him earn Pro Bowl honors as well. 

4.’23 James Cook (AV 13)

In his second NFL season, James Cook became a household name.  His 1567 total yards from scrimmage were among the league leaders and his duel-threat presence offered a consistent weapon for Josh Allen. 

Honorable Mention:  ’16 Lesean McCoy (AV 13) ‘12 CJ Spiller (AV 13), ’02 Travis Henry (AV 13), ’62, ’64 Cookie Gilchrist (AV 12)

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 1105 yards from scrimmage and 13 total touchdowns! 

Honorable Mention:  ’79 Curtis Brown (AV 7)

Wide Receivers

1.’98 Eric Moulds (AV 17)

Do you remember the 1998 Bills?  New “franchise” quarterback, Rob Johnson, led them to a 0-3 start before getting injured.  Enter Doug Flutie.  Eric Moulds and Flutie were electric that season.  Moulds’ 1368 yards in 1998 set a then-team record.  He also caught 9 TD’s which earned him his first of three Pro Bowls.  Eric Moulds was a badass.  

2.’20, ‘22 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/1535 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 1113 yards/10 TDs EVEN WITH that ball-hog MVP Thurman Thomas having his best season.  That is 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.’63 Elbert Dubenion (AV 12)

In 1964, Elbert Dubenion led the league in yards per reception with 27.1.  He held most Bills All-Time receiving records until Andre Reed broke them in the early-1990’s.  He still ranks fourth All-Time in Bills receiving yards.

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.  His ’81 year, though, saw him with 70 receptions/1244 receiving yards and earning his only Pro Bowl nod.

Honorable Mention: ’06 Lee Evans (AV 11), ’02 Peerless Price (AV 11)

Tight Ends

1.’23 Dalton Kincaid (AV 7)

Dalton Kincaid had an excellent rookie campaign in 2023.  His 73 receptions and 673 receiving yards were top-2 in Bills Tight End history.  Kincaid is primed for an even more lethal 2024.

2.’21 Dawson Knox (AV 6)

The Buffalo Bills have not had a standout tight end in their 62-year history.  Maybe Dawson Knox will change this.  After a sluggish start to his career, in 2021 Dawson Knox caught 71 balls for 587 yards and 9 TDs.  He’s proving to be a favorite target of Josh Allen.

Honorable Mention:  ’93 Pete Metzelaars (AV 6), ’90 Keith McKeller (AV 6), ’16 Charles Clay (AV 6)

Offensive Line

1.’23 Dion Dawkins Tackle (AV 13)

Dion Dawkins is aging like a fine wine.  His 2023 season was perhaps his best, starting all 17 of the Bills games and leading an offensive line whose quarterback was sacked less than any other in the NFL.  Dawkins was also selected to his third consecutive Pro Bowl in 2023.

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 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 HALL OF FAME!

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, 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 way for 1975’s most potent offense.

8. ’64 Billie Shaw (AV 12)

Billie Shaw was an All-AFL selection seven times, along with eight AFL All-Star selections.  He was known as the “driving force of the entire offensive unit.”  Shaw has the distinction of being the only player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame to have never played in the NFL.

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 have great AV values from the Super Bowl years.  Go figure!  Wolford’s first of three Pro Bowl nods came in 1990.

Honorable Mention:  ’16 Richie Incognito (AV 11), ’08 Jason Peters (AV 10), ’21 Daryl Williams (AV 10), ’23 Spencer Brown (AV 10), ’94 John Davis (AV 9), ’94 Glenn Parker (AV 9), ’89 Joe Devlin (AV 9), ’16 Jordan Mills (AV 9), ’22 Mitch Morse (AV 9)

Defensive Ends

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 first-team All-Pro, and was selected 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. ’66 Ron McDole (AV 13)

Ron McDole played eight of his eighteen seasons in Buffalo.  With the Bills, he received five First-Team All-AFL nominations.

Honorable Mention: ’82 Ben Williams (AV 12), ’19 Trent Murphy (AV 12)’14,‘19 Jerry Hughes  (AV 10), ’21 Gregory Rousseau (AV 10)

Defensive Tackles

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 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. ’64 Tom Sestak (AV 17)

Tom Sestak was selected to six consecutive AFL All-Stars with the Bills along with six All-AFL selections.  Sestak is a member of the Bills Wall of Fame and All-AFL Team.

4.’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. 

5.’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.  

Honorable Mention:  ’96 Phil Hanson (AV 12), ’04 Sam Adams (AV 11), ’03 Pat Williams (AV 10), ’21 Ed Oliver (AV 10), ’19 Star Lotulelei (AV 10)

Linebackers

1.’22 Matt Milano (AV 19) 

Matt Milano finally received his due credit in 2022, being selected First-Team All-Pro and going to his first Pro Bowl in 6 seasons.

2.’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 SPLASH signing Bryce Paup was for the Bills in 1995.  The guy came in and was not only first-team All-Pro, leading the league in sacks, and WON Defensive Play of the Year! 

3.’04 Takeo Spikes (AV 17)

Before his achilles injury early in the 2005 season, Takeo Spikes was among the greatest linebackers in the league.  His second year in Buffalo was his best, earning first-team All-Pro honors and his second Pro Bowl.  He also had two pick-6s. 

4.’19 Tremaine Edmunds (AV 14)

Tremaine Edmunds 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. ’64 Mike Stratton (AV 14)

Mike Stratton had the memorable “hit heard ‘round the world” versus the Chargers in the 1964 AFL Championship Game.  He was selected to be an AFL All-Star six times.  His 18 career interceptions are the most by a Bills linebacker.

Honorable Mention:  ‘91 Darryl Talley (AV 12), ’88, ’90 Shane Conlan (AV 12), ’00 Sam Cowart (AV 12), ’16 Zach Brown (AV 12), ’96 Chris Spielman (AV 12)

Cornerbacks

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 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. ’66 Butch Byrd (AV 14)

Butch Byrd holds the Bills’ all-time interceptions record with 40, interception return yards with 666 yards, and interceptions returned for touchdowns with 5.  He was a five-time AFL All-Star, was selected First-Team All-AFL three times and Second-Team ALL-AFL two times.  He’s regarded as the greatest secondary player in Bills’ history.

5.’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’ defense.

6.’23 Taron Johnson (AV 12)

Taron Johnson finally received league-wide accolades in 2023 when he was given All-Pro honors.  Johnson has found his niche in the league and is amongst the best slot cornerbacks out there.

Honorable Mention: ’04 Nate Clements (AV 12), ’79, ’81 Mario Clark (AV 9), ’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)

Safeties 

1.’64 George Saimes (AV 15)

George Saimes was considered “the finest open-field tackler in the league.”  He was selected to the 1st Team All-AFL three times, 2nd Team All-AFL two times, and was an AFL All-Star five times.  In seven seasons with the Bills, Saimes recorded 22 interceptions and 9 sacks.  

2.’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.

3. ’92 Henry Jones (AV 13)

Henry Jones was a key to the Bills 1990’s success.  First-team All-Pro in 1992 with his only Pro Bowl nod, Jones led the league in interceptions and INT return yards.  He also scored two IRFATs.

4. ’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 a 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 selected 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.

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