Past picks who should thrill Bills fans about 28th pick in 2024 NFL Draft

Laken Tomlinson was an original draft pick of the Detroit Lions in the 2015 NFL Draft.  He only spent two seasons with the Lions before trading to the San Francisco 49ers in August, 2017.  In return, the Lions received a fifth-round pick in the 2019 draft, which they used in another trade to acquire Damon Harrison from the Giants.  Hindsight being what it is, I’d say the Lions are kicking themselves for letting Tomlinson.

Since the trade, Tomlinson started every game for the 49ers between 2017 and 2021, including a Pro Bowl in the 2021 season.  In 2022, Tomlinson signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets, where he has again started every game.  He possessed incredible durability throughout his career, having played in 146 games so far, starting 138.  He has started a consecutive 80 games so far and is set to continue that streak in 2024.  Tomlinson also played in a Super Bowl with the 49ers, in a losing effort to the Chiefs.

Joe Staley was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2007 NFL Draft.  He went on to play for the 49ers from 2007 to 2019, accomplishing a rare feat in today’s NFL.  He played the entirety of this career with the same team that drafted him.  Staley started every game he played in his entire career, 181 regular season games, plus another 11 starts in the playoffs.  Staley also played in two Super Bowls; however, was unable to come away with a ring.

Staley earned six Pro Bowls and three second-team All-Pros.  He was also named to the NFL 2010 All-Decade team.  He was voted by his peers into the NFL Top 100 three years straight from 2012 to 2014.  He even has three career receptions for 26 yards.  Staley announced his retirement in 2020 and will likely be in the running to make the Hall of Fame once his eligibility opens in 2025.