Ever since Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane arrived in Buffalo, the Bills have become one of the most stable organizations in the NFL. Before them, the franchise was a mess and couldn’t seem to do anything right to make all the pieces on the team click at the same time. Under McDermott and Beane, the Bills have only missed the playoffs once.
With the NFL Draft this Thursday, the Bills are sitting at the No. 30 overall pick in the first round. Buffalo has had their hits and their misses in the first round, just like any team in the league. As fans, we either heavily praise the picks, or give a harsh opinion. That’s just the way it works and it’s what makes us love the sport so much.
Since coming to Buffalo from Carolina, the McBeane team has done a great job at building up the roster and it starts with the draft. Since 2017, the Bills have had six phenomenal picks that have helped them become a championship contender.
Ranking the Bills' six best draft picks under Sean McDermott & Brandon Beane
6.) LB Terrel Bernard, 2022
When the Bills selected linebacker Terrel Bernard in the third round in 2022, it was writing on the wall that Tremaine Edmunds was going to be on his way out of Buffalo. The Bills had just signed Von Miller to a massive deal to where it would be impossible to bring Edmunds back.
Going into 2023, the Bills had a big hole at linebacker after Edmunds left to join the Chicago Bears. However, Bernard put those worries to rest early on when he became a dynamite playmaker for the Bills throughout the season. He recorded 143 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, 9 QB hits, 3 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries.
Last season, he reached the century mark on total tackles again, dispute missing four games. The Bills rewarded him with a four-year extension that keeps him locked in for the next five years in Western New York.
5.) CB Taron Johnson, 2018
The Bills took a chance on cornerback Taron Johnson in 2018 in the fourth round. Little did we know that he would establish himself as one of the best nickel corners in the game. In seven seasons, Johnson has only allowed on average 10+ yards completed in three seasons. He also earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2023 and has allowed only four touchdowns the last two seasons.
Johnson is arguably Buffalo’s best corner and he is still very much in his prime. The Bills can get atleast two, maybe three more years of fantastic production from Johnson.
4.) OL Dion Dawkins, 2017
One of the biggest fan-favorites for the Bills Dion Dawkins was drafted in the second round in 2017 by the Bills. Buffalo needed to solidify their offensive line and Dawkins would start sooner than later in his career. He’s missed just six games in eight years and he has been voted to the Pro Bowl the last four seasons.
Dawkins protects Allen’s blindside and as long as he plays at a high level, the MVP won’t be feeling pressure from the left side for a long time.
3.) CB Tre’Davious White, 2017
Cornerback Tre’Davious White was the Bills’ first draft pick with Sean McDermott in the building and he had a fantastic start to his career in Buffalo. He became a shutdown All-Pro defender early on and was a franchise player for the organization. Then he suffered two season-ending injuries in 2021 and 2023 that led to his release in the 2024 offseason.
However, White recently signed with the Bills on a one-year deal worth up to $6.8 million and he is looking to help bring stability to Buffalo’s secondary. Even though White has had a bit of a rough career lately, he was the true starting prospect that helped turn the Bills around for the better.
2.) LB Matt Milano, 2017
Remember running back Mike Gillislee? He was a solid RB2 behind LeSean McCoy who eventually left the Bills to sign with the New England Patriots as a restricted free agent. Since the Bills declined to match New England’s offer, Buffalo got a fifth-round pick in return and they used that pick to select Boston College linebacker, Matt Milano, in 2017.
There’s an argument to be made that Milano was the biggest steal for the Bills under this regime. I get it, he’s had injuries and recently has been more of a liability than an asset. However, we cannot deny how valuable he has been with the Bills when he is on the field. Early on in his career, Milano was flying all over the field and was making plays left and right.
He was either making a stop behind the line, forcing a fumble, or getting an interception. Becoming an All-Pro in 2022, Milano has solidified himself as a fan-favorite for the rest of his career. Say what you want about his injury history, the Bills’ defense wouldn’t have had the success it did without Milano’s presence.
1.) QB Josh Allen, 2018
Like there is another player to put at the top of this list…the franchise guy that the Bills have been missing since the Jim Kelly days. Josh Allen, who you could also say was a steal at #7 overall in 2018, has become the league’s best quarterback and has done almost everything you can except for winning a Super Bowl. Bills fans are hoping that he can break that curse very soon.
Allen has set countless franchise records and NFL records, including becoming the first player to record 40+ touchdowns in five consecutive seasons. He won his first MVP award this past February (and yes, he deserved it rightfully), and has the Bills in the Super Bowl window for years to come.