The NFL Draft has grown exponentially in coverage over the decades. What was once a barely publicized event is now one that covers several days, hosts thousands of people, and is speculated on for months.
As the Buffalo Bills pore through the current crop of hopefuls to find the right fit, what better time to look back at drafts (both NFL and AFL) past? In this series, we will cover the best selections in each round of the draft (seventh and later will be covered in the same piece) to see which picks left the largest impression.
Which second round picks were the best in Bills history?
Honorable Mentions
The Bills have found some absolute gems in the second round, enough that this list was tough to nail down and leaves room for debate. Aaron Schobel (46th overall, 2001), Joe Cribbs (29th overall, 1980), and Jairus Byrd (42nd overall, 2009) could all have staked a claim.
Of the honorable mentions, James Cook (63rd overall, 2022) and Nate Odomes (29th overall, 1987) stand out most. Odomes became a fixture in the secondary for the vaunted Super Bowl teams of the 1990s, while Cook is coming off a rushing title and remains one of the best backs in football.
5.) Darryl Talley, LB – 39th overall (1983)
This spot was up for grabs, but “Spiderman” earned the nod. Taken in the same draft as the legendary Jim Kelly, Darryl Talley became a vital part of the defense. Known for his Spiderman arm sleeves, Talley was a ferocious tackler and a personality, to say the least.
He made Pro Bowls in 1990 and 1991 – the first two seasons of the Super Bowl run – and registered more than 100 tackles six times. Talley and the linebacking core of that era don’t get the love they deserve despite the contributions they made.
4.) Dion Dawkins, T – 63rd overall (2017)
The man from “You Already Schnow University” has been a fixture on the Bills offensive line since his rookie season in 2017. He has since morphed into one of the premier blindside protectors in the game, helping keep quarterback Josh Allen upright so he can work his magic.
Dawkins has made the Pro Bowl the past five seasons and continues to be among the best in the league in terms of pressure rate and sacks allowed. At 31, Dawkins likely has a few more seasons ahead of him to add to his already impressive legacy in Buffalo.
3.) Fred Smerlas, NT – 32nd overall (1979)
The Boston College alum had an uneventful rookie season in 1979, but quickly became a centerpiece on the Buffalo defense. He made four consecutive Pro Bowls, earned a pair of All-Pro nods, and even earned recognition by finishing fifth for the 1980 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Fred Smerlas was vital in helping the Bills go from also-rans near the end of the 1970s to being division champions in his second season. Unfortunately for Smerlas, he left in 1989, just before the Bills went on their run of four consecutive Super Bowls.
2.) Billy Shaw, G – 9th overall (1961 AFL Draft)
Billy Shaw falls here on a technicality as the AFL had just eight teams when he was drafted. In any event, Shaw became an immediate starter at guard and would not relinquish his spot until he retired in 1969 at age 31.
His rookie season would be the only one in which he did not earn some kind of accolade. He made eight consecutive Pro Bowl appearances, earned five consecutive First-Team All-Pro honors, and finished as one of a handful of the greatest players in franchise history when he hung them up.
1.) Thurman Thomas, HB – 40th overall (1988)
We tend to think of Barry Sanders when it comes to Oklahoma State running backs in the NFL, but Thurman Thomas had himself an outstanding career. Taken with the Bills’ first pick in the 1988 draft, Thomas was an immediate impact player.
Beginning with his second season in 1989, he would rip off five straight Pro Bowl appearances, and five All-Pro nods (two first-team, three second-team). His peak came in 1991, when he turned 1,407 rushing yards, 631 receiving yards, and 12 total touchdowns into the AP MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards. Thomas is forever linked with the all-time Bills teams of the 1990s, carving out his place as one of the greats.
Brandon Beane has a strong history of second-round picks
While general manager Brandon Beane has something of a questionable record with first-round picks, he has found a knack for picking impact players in the second. James Cook, Cole Bishop, O’Cyrus Torrence, and A.J. Epenesa have all played significant roles for the Bills.
This year, the Bills don’t have a pick in the second round as it was moved in the D.J. Moore trade. There are rumors that the Bills could trade back out of the first round, which would give them ammo to make a valuable pick in the second round.
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