Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in Buffalo Bills history using career Weighted Approximate Value (wAV), a metric developed by Pro-Football-Reference.com to estimate career impact. The ranking also lists individual accolades such as Pro Bowl selections, First-Team All-Pro honors, and total years as a starter. Players were assigned to their originally drafted teams, excluding any draft-day trades. Data is as of April 2026.
#10. Joe DeLamielleure (1973, Round 1, Pick 26)
– Position: G
– Career wAV: 87
– Pro Bowls: 6
– First-Team All-Pro: 3
– Games Played: 185
– Seasons as Starter: 12
#9. Larry Wilson (1960, Round , Pick )
– Position: DB
– Career wAV: 91
– Pro Bowls: 8
– First-Team All-Pro: 5
– Games Played: 169
– Seasons as Starter: 13
#7. Andre Reed (1985, Round 4, Pick 86) (tie)
– Position: WR
– Career wAV: 98
– Pro Bowls: 7
– First-Team All-Pro: 0
– Games Played: 234
– Seasons as Starter: 14
#7. O.J. Simpson (1969, Round 1, Pick 1) (tie)
– Position: RB
– Career wAV: 98
– Pro Bowls: 6
– First-Team All-Pro: 5
– Games Played: 135
– Seasons as Starter: 11
#6. Jim Kelly (1983, Round 1, Pick 14)
– Position: QB
– Career wAV: 103
– Pro Bowls: 5
– First-Team All-Pro: 1
– Games Played: 160
– Seasons as Starter: 11
#5. Paul Warfield (1964, Round 4, Pick 28)
– Position: WR
– Career wAV: 108
– Pro Bowls: 8
– First-Team All-Pro: 2
– Games Played: 157
– Seasons as Starter: 11
#4. Thurman Thomas (1988, Round 2, Pick 40)
– Position: RB
– Career wAV: 110
– Pro Bowls: 5
– First-Team All-Pro: 2
– Games Played: 182
– Seasons as Starter: 10
#3. Josh Allen (2018, Round 1, Pick 7)
– Position: QB
– Career wAV: 111
– Pro Bowls: 4
– First-Team All-Pro: 0
– Games Played: 128
– Seasons as Starter: 8
#2. Carl Eller (1964, Round 1, Pick 5)
– Position: DE
– Career wAV: 132
– Pro Bowls: 6
– First-Team All-Pro: 5
– Games Played: 225
– Seasons as Starter: 15
#1. Bruce Smith (1985, Round 1, Pick 1)
– Position: DE
– Career wAV: 152
– Pro Bowls: 11
– First-Team All-Pro: 8
– Games Played: 279
– Seasons as Starter: 18
