Spanning back to the 1961 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills have made countless first-round draft picks. Their success has fluctuated at times, but their best selections have ultimately enabled them to stay competitive across eras — from the 1980s and 1990s to the modern game.
Buffalo Bills First-Round Draft Picks Throughout History
In the first round, the Bills have had five picks go on to join the Hall of Fame ranks. Among those picks are renowned quarterback Jim Kelly and defensive end Bruce Smith. Smith is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of all time and is the only player in NFL history ever to eclipse 200 career sacks.
2023
- Dalton Kincaid | Pick 25
TE, Utah
2022
- Kaiir Elam | Pick 23
CB, Florida
2021
- Gregory Rousseau | Pick 30
DL, Miami (FL)
2020
The Bills traded the 22nd pick to the Minnesota Vikings.
2019
- Ed Oliver | Pick 9
DT, Houston
2018
- Josh Allen | Pick 7
QB, Wyoming - Tremaine Edmunds | Pick 16
LB, Virginia Tech
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![buffalo bills first round draft picks](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 250 175"></svg> "History of Buffalo Bills First-Round NFL Draft Picks All Time")
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2017
- Tre’Davious White | Pick 27
CB, LSU
2016
- Shaq Lawson | Pick 19
DE, Clemson
2015
The Bills traded the 19th pick to the Cleveland Browns.
2014
- Sammy Watkins | Pick 4
WR, Clemson
2013
- EJ Manuel | Pick 16
QB, Florida State
2012
- Stephon Gilmore | Pick 10
DB, South Carolina
2011
- Marcell Dareus | Pick 3
DT, Alabama
2010
- C.J. Spiller | Pick 9
RB, Clemson
2009
- Aaron Maybin | Pick 11
DE, Penn State - Eric Wood | Pick 28
C, Louisville
2008
- Leodis McKelvin | Pick 11
DB, Troy
2007
- Marshawn Lynch | Pick 12
RB, California
2006
- Donte Whitner | Pick 8
DB, Ohio State - John McCargo | Pick 26
DT, North Carolina State
2005
The Bills traded the 20th pick to the Dallas Cowboys.
2004
- Lee Evans | Pick 13
WR, Wisconsin - J.P. Losman | Pick 22
QB, Tulane
2003
- Willis McGahee | Pick 23
RB, Miami (FL)
2002
- Mike Williams | Pick 4
OT, Texas
2001
- Nate Clements | Pick 21
DB, Ohio State
2000
- Erik Flowers | Pick 26
DE, Arizona State
1999
- Antoine Winfield | Pick 23
DB, Ohio State
1998
The Bills traded the ninth pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
1997
- Antowain Smith | Pick 23
RB, Houston
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1996
- Eric Moulds | Pick 24
WR, Mississippi State
1995
- Ruben Brown | Pick 14
G, Pittsburgh
1994
- Jeff Burris | Pick 27
DB, Notre Dame
1993
- Thomas Smith | Pick 28
DB, North Carolina
1992
- John Fina | Pick 27
OT, Arizona
1991
- Henry Jones | Pick 26
DB, Illinois
1990
- James Williams | Pick 16
DB, Fresno State
1989
The Bills did not have a selection in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft as part of the Eric Dickerson trade.
1988
The Bills did not have a selection in the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft as part of the Dickerson trade.
1987
- Shane Conlan | Pick 8
LB, Penn State
1986
- Ronnie Harmon | Pick 16
RB, Iowa - Will Wolford | Pick 20
OT, Vanderbilt
1985
- Bruce Smith* | Pick 1
DE, Virginia Tech - Derrick Burroughs | Pick 14
DB, Memphis
1984
- Greg Bell | Pick 26
RB, Notre Dame
1983
- Tony Hunter | Pick 12
TE, Notre Dame - Jim Kelly* | Pick 14
QB, Miami (FL)
1982
- Perry Tuttle | Pick 19
WR, Clemson
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1981
- Booker Moore | Pick 28
RB, Penn State
1980
- Jim Ritcher | Pick 16
G, North Carolina State
1979
- Tom Cousineau | Pick 1
LB, Ohio State - Jerry Butler | Pick 5
WR, Clemson
1978
- Terry Miller | Pick 5
RB, Oklahoma State
1977
- Phil Dokes | Pick 12
DT, Oklahoma State
1976
- Mario Clark | Pick 18
DB, Oregon
1975
- Tom Ruud | Pick 19
LB, Nebraska
1974
- Reuben Gant | Pick 18
TE, Oklahoma State
1973
- Paul Seymour | Pick 7
TE, Michigan - Joe DeLamielleure* | Pick 26
G, Michigan State
1972
- Walt Patulski | Pick 1
DE, Notre Dame
1971
- J.D. Hill | Pick 4
WR, Arizona State
1970
- Al Cowlings | Pick 5
DE, USC
1969
- O.J. Simpson* | Pick 1
RB, USC
1968
- Haven Moses | Pick 9
WR, San Diego State
1967
- John Pitts | Pick 22
DB, Arizona State
1966
- Mike Dennis | Pick 8
RB, Mississippi
1965
- Jim Davidson | Pick 8
OT, Ohio State
1964
- Carl Eller* | Pick 5
DE, Minnesota
1963
- Dave Behrman | Pick 4
C, Michigan State
1962
- Ernie Davis | Pick 4
HB, Syracuse
1961
- Ken Rice | Pick 1
OT, Auburn
*Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
