Buffalo Bills
The All-Time Buffalo Bills 53-Man Roster
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 63 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,” PRF created this figure in an attempt to attach a single number to every player-season since 1960.
Through Pro-Football-Reference, I reviewed over 300 current and former Buffalo Bills players’ seasonal AV values and ranked them by position.
With all that being said, I give to you the ALL-TIME BUFFALO BILLS 53-MAN ROSTER!
Quarterbacks
1.‘21 Josh Allen (AV 19); ’22 Josh Allen (AV 20)
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 4400+ yards/36 TD’s and running for 763 yards/6 TD’s.
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 TD, 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 TD’s along with 415 receiving yards. The next year, he had even more yards from scrimmage, hitting 1700 along with 10 TD’s. Three of Cribbs’s first four years saw him earn Pro Bowl honors as well.
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 1623 yards from scrimmage and 14 total touchdowns, earning him Pro Bowl honors.
Honorable Mention: ‘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 an 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 Stefon Diggs (AV 15); ’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 TD’s 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 TD’s. 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 receptions 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.’93 Pete Metzelaars (AV 6)
Pete Metzelaars was a reliable target for Jim Kelly in the K-Gun. His ’93 season was Pete’s best when he caught 68 passes for 609 yards and 4 TD’s.
2.’21 Dawson Knox (AV 6)
The Buffalo Bills have not had a standout tight end in their 62-year history. Maybe Dawson Knox changes this. After a sluggish start to his career, 2021 Dawson Knox caught 71 balls for 587 yards and 9 TD’s. 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); ’22 Dion Dawkins (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 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 ‘90’s 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 away 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), ’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, 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 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 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 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 achiles 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-6’s.
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. ’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 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. ’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.’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.
Honorable Mention: ’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 IRFAT’s.
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.
For the first time in Josh Allen’s seven-year career, the Buffalo Bills will be returning four primary offensive line starters from the previous season. The only missing lineman from 2023 is Mitch Morse, who the Bills released this past March.
Primary starting offensive linemen returning to the Bills in 2024 are:
Left Tackle, Dion Dawkins
Left Guard, Connor McGovern
Right Guard, O’Cyrus Torrence
Right Tackle, Spencer Brown
There is a good chance that Connor McGovern moves to center, opening the door for David Edwards to take over the starting left guard position.
In four seasons with the Rams, David Edwards started in 45 out of 53 games active and is lauded by Bills coaching staff.
The other possibility is for the center position to go to rookie, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, who the Bills drafted in the 5th round this past April.
The Bills starting offensive line will look to continue to improve on an already solid 2023 performance. The ’23 front five allowed their quarterback to only be sacked 4% of his drop backs in 2023, the lowest mark in the league.
Much of the 2023 Bills offensive line success can be attributed to health. All five starting offensive linemen started all 17 games in 2023—a trend that the Bills coaching staff would like to continue in 2024.
With six seasons under his belt, Josh Allen’s stock has risen to a point that many consider him the greatest Bills quarterback of all time, challenging the formerly undisputed top QB, Jim Kelly.
But how does one assess greatness amongst two quarterbacks from two different eras? And how would one decipher what attributes make one quarterback better than another.
Recently, I took a deep-dive into both Jim Kelly and Josh Allen’s career. Through looking at both quarterbacks’ statistics, teammates and clutch performances; I hope to settle the debate once and for all.
Many base their opinions on their “eye test”—Josh Allen has a stronger arm, bigger frame, can run faster and do things that Jim Kelly never dreamed of.
There is no doubt that Josh Allen’s skillset is far superior to Jim Kelly’s.
However, Jim Kelly retired from the Bills in 1996 and Josh Allen’s Bills rookie campaign was 2018. In those 22 years there have been advances in technology, training and nutrition that all current NFL quarterbacks have enjoyed the fruits of.
Josh Allen is on pace to shatter Jim Kelly’s Bills passing yards (35,467) and passing touchdowns (237) marks. Allen needs only 12,764 passing yards and 70 passing touchdowns to surpass Kelly and this could very well happen in three to four seasons.
However, Jim Kelly had an atypical NFL career. He missed the 1983, 1984 and 1985 seasons—the first three of his career due to playing in the USFL so his career numbers are skewed. Kelly could have easily had an additional 10,000 yards and 75 touchdown passes had he played these seasons with the Bills.
Another big factor that one needs to consider in the Bills QB GOAT conversation is the weapons and protection that each quarterback was given.
It’s no coincidence that Josh Allen’s career took a giant step forward in 2020 when the Bills traded for All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs. But other than Diggs, the Bills have had mediocre at best talent for Josh Allen. And except for the 2023 season, the Bills offensive line has been average at best.
Jim Kelly already had Hall of Fame wide receiver, Andre Reed when he came into the league in 1986. Two years later, he was given another HOF’er, Thurman Thomas and then HOF’er, James Lofton in 1989. Kelly also played behind one the most consistent offensive lines in NFL history with the likes of Kent Hull, Howard Ballard, Jim Ritcher and Will Wolford.
Yes, the NFL was different in the 1980’s and 1990’s than it is today. The quarterbacks are much more protected now and pass catchers are given more liberties as well.
Keeping this in mind, the most objective way to compare Jim Kelly and Josh Allen statistically is to assess where they rank amongst their quarterback peers in the era that they played—not merely comparing statistics straight up.
This graphic shows Jim Kelly’s and Josh Allen’s rankings year by year in Yards Per Game, Touchdown Percentage, Interception Percentage and QB Rating.
Neither quarterback’s rankings amongst their peers stand out as being superior to the other.
In the Super Bowl years, Jim Kelly was among the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He finished second in MVP voting and was First-Team All-Pro in 1991. Kelly went to five Pro Bowls in six seasons from 1987-1992—back when a Pro Bowl nod meant something.
Josh Allen’s first two seasons were nothing spectacular, but starting in 2020, he turned a corner and is now regarded as one of the elite quarterbacks in the league. Like Jim Kelly, Josh Allen finished second in MVP voting in 2020 and was selected to the Pro Bowl twice.
One negative similarity between Josh Allen and Jim Kelly is their knack for throwing interceptions. Allen finished in the bottom half of the league in interception percentage in five of his six seasons. Kelly finished in the bottom half of the league in interception percentage in eight of his eleven seasons in the league.
There are two major differences between Josh Allen and Jim Kelly that likely gives Allen the Bills QB GOAT nod over Kelly.
First is Josh Allen’s rushing ability.
In five of his six seasons in the league, Josh Allen finished top-50 in the league in rushing yards per game and he’s been top-25 in the league in rushing touchdowns every season of his career (he was top 10 twice). Allen has carried his team on his back year after year.
Jim Kelly was your typical immobile ‘80’s and ‘90’s quarterback. He rushed for seven career touchdowns. Josh Allen doubled that LAST SEASON.
The second major difference that pushes Josh Allen past Jim Kelly is Allen’s clutch playoff performances.
In 17 career playoff games, Jim Kelly had a QB Rating of 72.3, had 21 combined touchdowns and 28 interceptions. You might be saying to yourself, “Yes, but Jim Kelly led his team to four Super Bowls.” Well, as mentioned earlier—Kelly had a lot of help, especially from a guy named Thurman Thomas who averaged 74 rush yards per game with 20 touchdowns in 18 career playoff games with Jim Kelly under center.
Josh Allen has played in 10 career playoff games. His QB Rating is 100.0 with 26 combined touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Have the Bills gotten to a Super Bowl? No—but don’t put that on Josh Allen. Except for one game where Gabe Davis shined against the Chiefs with four receiving touchdowns, Josh Allen put his Bills team on his back and willed them to victory with no other stand-out performances from any other offensive player.
Jim Kelly is in the Hall of Fame and he 100% deserves it. He’s known for his toughness and resiliency. Kelly had some incredible seasons with the Bills and they would not have made the Super Bowl runs that they made without him. However, if you look at all the factors—factors that make a quarterback great, Josh Allen has to get the nod for the Bills GOAT.
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