I turn 38 today and I’ve seen some things, epecially when it comes to our beloved Buffalo Bills. I’ve also been and still am a fan of the NFL Draft. So, what I thought is that I put together a list of my favorite and the best rookie seasons for Bills draft picks. This season, despite having no first round picks, the Bills really hit on the draft. Ronald Darby and Karlos Williams have proven to be special players, and John Miller has started throughout the season. Hopefully their success will continue in the upcoming years. I didn’t have any special criteria going in, I just jotted down some of my favorite Bills rookie seasons, I reached out to some friends, but mostly this was done on memory, YouTube, and Pro-Football Reference.
The NFL Draft isn’t an exact science. The NFL twitter scouts can show you Vines of All 22’s all day and stand on their internet pedestals and tell you why so-and-so is a better LB, QB, or whatever than the next. But, if these GM’s don’t really know, what makes you think the twitter scouts know? Again, they don’t. Looking back at some these draft classes, not so much during the Polian era, because he hit on so many and the success and the records prove it, but looking at the 2001 class for example, the Bills had a really good draft. Results on the filed tell us differently, but it was good. More on that below. As great as their 1985 draft was, The Bills draft class of 2000 was just as bad. The 2000, 2010, and 2006 draft classes are some of the worst in memory for the Bills. On the other hand 1983 (Kelly,Talley), 1985, 1987, 1991, will go down as some of the best. Here now are my top 10 Buffalo Bills rookie seasons:
10. Ruben Brown 1995 – Pittsburgh- 1st Rd- 14th overall – 1994 was the first time the Bills missed the playoffs since the 1987 season (Yes, the Bills actually used to string together playoff seasons) and an upgrade was needed on the offensive line. The Bills held the 14th pick that season and selected the big guard out of Pittsburgh. Ruben Brown started all 16 games in his rookie season. The Bills finished 6th in the NFL in total rushing, and that season marked the last time the Bills won a playoff game in the wildcard over Dan Marino, Don Shula and the Dolphins. The Bills ran for 341 yards and 3 TD’s that game. Ruben Brown had stellar career with The Bills. He made the Pro Bowl from 1996-2003. Other notables selected by Buffalo that draft: Todd Collins, Damien Covington, Ken Irvin, and Darick Holmes. 1995 Draft Grade: C
9. Aaron Schobel 2001 – Texas Christian University- 2nd Rd- 46th overall – Looking back on this era of Bills football, I’ve always clumped Schobel into the Fred Jackson, Stevie Johnson, Lee Evans, etc group. You know, the players that fans loved, but the only thing I remember them for is zero playoff appearances and being good players on terrible teams who were terribly coached and never won anything. But as I was putting this piece together, I looked back at Schobel’s time with Buffalo and I don’t think he should be put in that mix. If he had a better relationship with Bills media, front office, and had played in a different era of Bills football, he would be a sure thing Wall of Famer. Schobel’s rookie numbers: 11 starts, 2 passes defended, 31 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Schobel played and started every game from 2002-2007, injuries limited him to 5 games in 2008, and in his last year in Buffalo he started and played all 16 with 10 sacks. Schobel finished his Bills career with 78 career sacks, 2nd all time. I take back everything negative I’ve said about you Aaron. The Bills 2001 Draft was really good. More on that ahead.
8. Jairus Byrd 2009 – Oregon- 2nd Rd- 42nd overall – Byrd always had great ball skills. In college he had 17 career INT’s and that carried over in his rookie season with Buffalo. Byrd had 9 interceptions his rookie season in 11 games started. Finished with 30 tackles and 11 passes defended. 2009 was right about the time #Bills #Twitter was taking off and “BALL HAWK” was the term being tossed around about Byrd. Byrd made the pro bowl his rookie season and two more times after that in 2012 and 2013. We all know how Byrd’s career with Buffalo ended. With Buffalo, Byrd finished with 22 interceptions in 5 years. Two years with New Orleans in 14 games played? 1 interception. The Bills 2009 draft was interesting: Aaron Maybin (just barley missed this list), Eric Wood, Andy Levitre, and Shawn Nelson, who everyone thought was going to be the savior at tight end : 2009 Draft Grade: C –
7. Kiko Alonso 2013 – Oregon- 2nd Rd- 46th overall – #LegendOfKikoAlonso was a big thing back in the good old days of 2013. Out of all the players on this list, nobody took off in popularity like Kiko. Social media really made him out to be this unstoppable force. Kiko’s rookie season was pretty incredible: Started and played all 16 games and had 4 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, 5 passes defended, 87 tackles, and one hell of a goal line stop on 4th down in Cleveland on a Thursday Night. Injuries marred his career in college, and they’re starting to rear their ugly head in the NFL. He missed all of 2014 with Buffalo and traded in March of 2015 for LeSean McCoy and that was that. Kiko had many flaws, but for one magical season in 2013 he brought us hope and a hashtag. The 2013 Draft has a lot of names still on the roster: Manuel, blocking WR extraordinaire Robert Woods, Goodwin, Duke Williams, Meeks, and Gragg. So the 2013 picks are still in school. 2013 Draft Grade: Incomplete
6. Nate Clements 2001 – Ohio State- 1st Rd- 21st overall – You’re probably thinking “really?” This is my list so sit down and listen. This really is more of an ode and appreciation to not only the Bills 2001 draft class and a what a great job of finding talent Tom Donahoe did over his time here (terrible at hiring coaches), but putting this together I noticed that over the years the Bills have done a very good job at drafting secondary players. Henry Jones, Jeff Burris, Antoine Winfield, Byrd, Stephon Gilmore, and this season with Ronald Darby. Clements had a very steady career with the Bills. He started and played every game from 2002 – 2006 and made 1 pro bowl. He finished with 23 interceptions and 5 TD returns. During his rookie season, he played in all 16 games while starting 11 and finished with 3 interceptions, 1 TD, 14 PD, 3 FF, 1 sack, and 53 tackles. Not bad. But as a whole, let’s look at this 2001 Bills draft class: The first 5 Bills picks? Nate Clements, Aaron Schobel, Travis Henry, Ron Edwards, Jonas Jennings, and Brandon Spoon. 4th round pick, Brandon Spoon’s rookie numbers: 14 starts, 2 INT, 2 TD’s, 45 tackles. Just to give you an idea. Those 5 mentioned were solid contributors. Donahoe whiffed on the 2002 class and the 2003 – 2005 draft classes were “meh” but with the offseasons they had those years, and this 2001 class, you have to ask “How did they miss the playoffs?” Why? Because as mentioned, Donahoe failed miserably on two coaching hires, and it goes to show that no matter the talent, if you don’t have a good coach with a true system/scheme none of this matters. 2001 Draft Grade: B –
5. Shane Conlan 1987 – Penn State- 1st Rd- 8th overall – Okay millennials, it’s time for Uncle Necci to gather you around the fire and tell you about Shane Conlan. It starts with the moniker “Linebacker U”. Before a certain scandal ripped through Happy Valley, PA, Penn State was known as “Linebacker U”. Jack Ham, Greg Buttle, “WHO?”, look him up, Lavar Arrington, Cameron Wake, Paul Posluszny, Sean Lee, NaVorro Bowman, just to name a few. Well, Shane Conlan was just as good. Conlan came to Buffalo in 1987, and 1987 was the transition year for Buffalo. Bruce Smith and Andre Reed came in 1985, Kelly in 1986, etc.. 1987 season made the fans finally believe that something special was happening here. And in 1988, it finally took off to postseason success. Well, anywho, if twitter existed in 1987 the #LegendOfShaneConlan would’ve existed. He was good, kids. VERY GOOD. The biggest knock on Conlan was his skinny legs, but he was a tackling machine. Fast, and very smart. Conlan exploded on the scene during the 1987 Fiesta Bowl when Penn St beat the heavily favored and fatigue outfitted Miami Hurricanes. (if you’re clueless as to what I’m talking about go watch 30 for 30 “The U”). Conlan in that title game had 8 tackles, assisted on many others, but had 2 very important interceptions. The last one set up the GW TD by DJ Dozier.
Conlan played and started all 12 games in 1987 (87 was a strike season and 4 games were played by scabs) he had 1 forced fumble and 114 tackles while winning defensive rookie of the year and earning 2nd team honors in the NFL. Conlan made the Pro Bowl from 1988 – 1990 and played in 3 Super Bowls with Bills. Injuries slowed him down, including a gruesome knee injury on a Monday Night against Denver. Shane Conlan was an important player for the Bills and one of my favorites. By the way, Bill Polian was great at his job. Other 1987 Bills draft notables: Nate Odomes, Jamie Mueller, Leon Seals, Keith McKellar (Round 9) and Howard Ballard (Round 10). 1987 Draft Grade: A+
4. Thurman Thomas 1988 – Oklahoma State 2nd Rd 40th overall – The October 1987 trade that brought in Cornelius Bennett left the Bills without a first round pick in 1988. No matter, Buffalo had Bill Polian and while Thurman Thomas famously slept on his couch during the draft, and grew a chip on his shoulder the size of Niagara Falls. Polian nabbed the RB who Barry Sanders backed up at Oklahoma State. Thurman Thomas’ rookie campaign was very good, but not the best by a Bills rookie RB. We all know how Thurman’s career panned out, so I’ll spare you those numbers and the success we all know it by heart. Thomas racked up 881 yards rushing his rookie year (14th in the NFL that season) along with 208 yards receiving, and 2 total TD’s. The Bills finished 12-4 in that season, won the division for the first time since 1980, and won their first playoff game since 1981. Other 1988 Draft Notables: John Hagy, Jeff Wright (both in Round 8), Carlton Bailey (Rd 9), and Martin Mayhew (Rd 10 and never played a down for the Bills). Aside from selecting the 2nd greatest RB in franchise history and future Hall of Famer, The 1988 draft was class wasn’t grand. 1988 Draft Class Grade: C +
3. Marshawn Lynch 2007 – California- 1st Rd- 12th overall – Yes, I have Lynch ranked ahead of Thurman based solely on individual rookie seasons Lynch’s 2007 > Thurman’s 1988. Obviously team and career success, Thurman is better, but Lynch has a ring so I don’t know. Here is what I remember about the 2007 draft. Ralph Wilson wanted a running back, and I believe I remember them entertaining the thought of trading up to grab Adrian Peterson, The Bills passed on Darrelle Revis, and grabbed Marshawn Lynch. The GM at this time was the combination of Ralph, Russ, Jauron and Marv Levy. A foursome like no other. Before Lynch become the skittle eating, destroyer of souls in Seattle, he was hanging out at Dave and Buster’s and Applebee’s in Buffalo, and making #BeastMode a legitimate thing. Lynch missed 3 games that season, but in the 13 he played and started in, he finished with 1115 yards rushing with 7 TD’s. 85 yards a game on a 4.0 per attempt is nothing to sneeze at when your QB isn’t exactly getting respect from defenses (JP/Trent). His best game came against the Bengals when he ripped off a long 60-yard run after breaking 2 tackles in the backfield. We all know how Lynch’s story ends here. Because, nobody drafts running backs while already having an established running back like your Buffalo Bills. (Travis Henry here, draft McGahee, Lynch here, draft Spiller, Spiller/Jackson here, trade for McCoy, draft Karlos Williams). The 2007 draft was an interesting one: Lynch, Posluszny, Trent Edwards, Dwayne Wright, and John Wendling (YouTube high jumping sensation) were the notable. 2007 Draft Class Grade: C –
2. Joe Cribbs 1980 – Auburn- 2nd Rd- 29th overall – A lot of you were too young to remember, but Joe Cribbs was pretty darn good. Joe Cribbs was the first Bills jersey I owned at the ripe young age of 4. Now, I can’t get into a complete breakdown of his career or a game by game recap of that 1980 season, but from family members who remember him, and the books and tapes I’ve watched, this guy was pretty darn spectacular. Wouldn’t you know it, he left because of money issues between himself and Bills management. Ralph Wilson, Hall of Famer! Anyways, those Bills teams of 1980 – 1981 were very very good, and because of The Super Bowl teams, I don’t think they get the credit they deserve around here. Chuck Knox built a great team here. Knox went to the playoffs in 1980 and 81 on a strong running game and even a stronger defense, except he didn’t come in here like a blow hard carnival barker like the current coach. “BUT NECCI, YOU WERE FOUR, HOW DO YOU KNOW HE DIDN’T?” Because, I know he didn’t. Joe Cribbs played and started all 16 in his rookie season, and here are the numbers: 1185 yards rushing 11 touchdowns, 52 catches/415/1 TD, and for good measure added in 154 yards in punt returns. The 1980 Bills finished 11-5, won the division and lost a heartbreaking playoff game to The Chargers. The only other notable name from the 1980 draft was 1st found pick Jim Ritcher. 1980 Draft Class Grade: B
1. Bruce Smith 1985 – Virginia Tech- Rd 1- 1st Overall – The greatest player in the history of franchise. How often can you say that about players being drafted 1st overall? Bruce played in all 16 games, started 13 and finished with 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. What more can I say about Bruce Smith? Other rookies on this list may have had better individual rookie seasons, but no rookie on this list, nor ones that I considered were selected first and lived up and exceeded expectations like Bruce did. 14 seasons in Buffalo, two time defensive player of the year, numerous pro bowls, numerous all first NFL teams, 171 sacks, Super Bowls, Hall of Fame. Bruce Smith. Best Rookie Season, that equated to the best career. Hey, you know who was good at his job? Bill Polian: 1985 Bills Draft Notables: Derrick Burroughs, Chris Burkett, Frank Reich, Hal Garner, Andre Reed, Dale Hellestrae, and Ron Pitts. 2 Hall of Fame players, and cornerstones of the franchise. What a draft. Bills 1985 Draft is the greatest in team history. 1985 Draft Class Grade A +++++++
Others I had listed who just missed the cut: Ronald Darby 2015, Kyle Williams 2006 , Sam Cowart 1998, Greg Bell, Antowain Smith 1997, and Lee Evans 2004.
Those not considered: Erik Flowers 2000, Ko Simpson 2006, Leif Larsen 2000 , Corey Moore 2000, Michael Jasper 2011 , Ed Wang 2010 , and Danny Batten 2010.
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