Ranking the 15 greatest Bills players ever, from Josh Allen to Bruce Smith

The Buffalo Bills have a long, rich pro football tradition that goes back to their time in the AFL for the entire decade of the 1960s before transitioning to the NFL in 1970. Over the past 55 seasons, they have had many standout performers over the years, coming up just short of winning a Super Bowl to match their two previous AFL championships.

From early in the 70s to having a star win league Most Valuable Player for the third time, it’s difficult to choose Buffalo’s best of the best. The Sporting News ranks the 15 best players in Bills history, from reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen to NFL all-time sack leader Bruce Smith.

Players were ranked based on a points system made up of nine categories. Points from a scale of 1-10 were assigned based on each player’s strength in a particular category and added up for a final score.

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15. Cookie Gilchrist (1962-1964)

Accolades: Three seasons, 3-time AFL All-Star, 2-time first-team AFL All-Pro,  one-time AFL MVP, AFL champion

Why he made SN’s list: Cookie Gilchrist spent only three years playing for Buffalo after bouncing around in Canada, getting the call after elite seasons with Hamilton, Saskatchewan and Toronto. He was a dominant workhorse runner, the first to break 1,000 yards rushing in the early AFL days, but legend and old film also say he was a blocking fullback for the ages. He was also a staunch advocate for civil rights during an important time for black athletes to do so.

Place in Bills history: Gilchrist set the tone for the early days of the Bills in the decade ahead of them joining the merged NFL. He was an all-time AFL great and could have been a bigger star it he had played in that league before his late 20s. He was the pioneer to usher in the Bills’ future rushing success with O.J. Simpson.

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14. Kyle Williams (2006-2018)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls

Why he made SN’s list: The former national champion LSU defensive tackle became a stalwart of the Bills’ defense for more than a decade. Kyle Williams was a durable disruptor in any type of scheme, ranging from nose to 3-4 end. Known for his ability to blow up plays in the backfield, he ended up with 48.5 career sacks.

Place in Bills history: Williams gets his due here after being one of the most under-appreciated yet reliable interior starters of his day. His spirited blue-collar work ethic and loyalty to play his hardest for the Bills through his final season is worthy of long-term respect.

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13. Darryl Talley (1983-1994)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 2 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro

Why he made SN’s list: Darryl Talley is first of several beloved defenders from the Bills’ AFC dynasty to get on SN’s rankings. He remains the team’s all-time leading tackler and was known for his rangy knack for making big plays at linebacker. He was a fan favorite and team leader for his relentlessness, high energy and intensity.

Place in Bills history: Talley is on the Bills’ Wall of Fame and like Kyle Williams, is legendary for the franchise for how much heart and production he poured into leading the defense to top results.

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12. Jack Kemp (1962-1969)

Accolades: 8 seasons, 6-time AFL All-Star, one-time first-team AFL All-Pro, one-time AFL Player of the Year, 2-time AFL champion

Why he made SN’s list: Jack Kemp was a terrific AFL QB with his strong arm and deep balls in an era when the running was heavy and passing was more of a calculated way of hitting on big plays. He also was a great leader of a loaded team and helped the Bills win their first two championships.

Place in Bills history: Before there was Jim Kelly and Josh Allen, there was Kemp, who later served as a United States congressman and presidential Cabinet member. Future political success aside, Kemp stamped his career in football as the one-time best player in the sport.

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11. Cornelius Bennett (1987-1995)

Accolades: 9 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro

Why he made SN’s list: Cornelius Bennett was drafted No. 2 overall by the Colts in 1987, but an offseason contract impasse gave the Bills a great fortune for their budding AFC dynasty. The Alabama alum was an immediate playmaking linebacker, recording 18 sacks combined in his first two seasons to go along with eight forced fumbles. He was all over the field disrupting with Talley and friends, with equal strengths vs. the pass as a rusher and cover man.

Place in Bills history: Bennett had expected impact based on his talent and pedigree, and his intangibles were also assets along with his nose for the ball and ball-carrier.

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10. Billy Shaw (1961-1969)

Accolades: 10 seasons, 8-time AFL All-Star, 7-time all-AFL 2-time AFL champion

Why he made SN’s list: The Hall of Fame guard was a key blocker for Cookie Gilchrist, Jack Kemp and the early days of O.J. Simpson. Billy Shaw, at 6-foot-2, 258 pounds, was an athletic left guard ahead of his time, using his quickness to get downfield on his blocks.

Place in Bills history: Shaw was the precursor to the “Electric Company” nicknamed dominant offensive line that was a huge key to Simpson’s big numbers in the 1970s. He is another strong link to the AFC glory.

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9. Kent Hull (1986-1996)

Accolades: 11 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro 

Why he made SN’s list: Kent Hull broke in with his top blocking in the USFL, like Jim Kelly, before becoming Kelly’s long-time snapper in Buffalo.

Place in Bills history: He was the unsung hero of an offense that included Hall of Fame triplets of Kelly, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed. He remains a beloved grinder and effective blocker, fondly remembered after being sadly lost to his battle with liver disease at 50.

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8. Steve Tasker (1986-1997)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 7 Pro Bowls, 5-time first-team All-Pro, one-time Pro Bowl MVP

Why he made SN’s list: Steve Tasker should probably be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, on top of being a Bills Wall of Fame legend, for his extraordinary work plugging away and making a lot of big plays as a special teams cover man, including 204 tackles and 7 blocked punts. He is one of the most unique big impact players in NFL history.

Place in Bills history: Tasker didn’t have a glorious task as an extra wide receiver, but he found his niche in the third phase of the game, reaching star status to match some of the bigger names on offense and defense during the Bills’ AFC championship dynasty.

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7. Joe DeLamielleure (1973-1979)

Accolades: 7 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro

Why he made SN’s list: As the sturdy, strong right guard of the mighty 1970s Bills offensive line, he was the unquestioned blocking leader of “The Electric Company”, helping to escort Simpson to some monster rushing seasons. Joe DeLamielleure played hard and was a durable, consistent force while with Buffalo.

Place in Bills history: DeLamielleure is synonymous with Simpson as the heart of the Bills’ elite rushing success in his decade of play for them, including a 2,000-yard season. He remains cemented as the franchise’s best-ever offensive lineman.

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6. Josh Allen (2018-active)

Accolades: 7 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, one-time NFL MVP

Why he made SN’s list: Josh Allen is headed to setting a high bar for passing and rushing for future Bills QBs as the first long-term franchise option since Jim Kelly. He has smashed with 195 TDs through the air and 65 more on the ground. His total yardage produced is already more than 30,000 with a solid 93.4 efficiency rating, great for a big-armed big-play focused QB.

Place in Bills history: He’s shot past Jack Kemp and is gaining on Kelly fast after consistent gaudy numbers and now a MVP to boot for his ever-improving winning leadership. Breaking through for an AFC championship and a Super Bowl ring soon would elevate his status ahead of some Hall of Famers ranked above him.

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5. Andre Reed (1985-1999)

Accolades: 15 seasons, 7 Pro Bowls

Why he made SN’s list: Andre Reed, a fourth-round wide receiver draft steal out of Kutztown, Pennsylvania remains the clear-cut best receiver ever for the team with his prolific receiving stats to help Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas. He also has played more games in a Bills uniform than anyone else.

Place in Bills history: It’s difficult to say the surnames of Kelly and Thomas and not mention this big-play receiver, too, with his ideal size (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) and speed for the position. Reed was a prolific good-hands pass catcher with such consistency and durability that would be rare for any era.

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4. O.J. Simpson (1969-1977)

Accolades: 9 seasons, 5-time Pro Bowler, 5-time first-team All-Pro, 4-time NFL rushing yardage leader, 2-time NFL rushing TD leader, one-time NFL MVP, one-time AFL All-Star

Why he made SN’s list: O.J. Simpson won everything at USC individually and as a team and did his best to power the Bills to the top the AFC, which was dominated by the Raiders, Steelers and Dolphins in the 1970s. He was an explosive and dynamic back, breaking through to rush for 2,002 yards in 1972.

Place in Bills history: Simpson, before his serious off-the-field legal trouble in retirement as a crossover national celebrity, was a special superstar on the field, picking up where he left off in Buffalo as the Heisman-winning dominant back at USC. His ranking here in Bills history is based purely on his playing days with Buffalo.

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3. Thurman Thomas (1988-1999)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, one-time NFL MVP, one-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 

Why he made SN’s list: Thurman Thomas is the Bills’ all-time leading rusher, and passing Simpson pushed him toward the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was the best feature back in the game for a stretch for his dangerous combined running and receiving prowess, excelling in a loaded offense.

Place in Bills history: Thomas was known for his consistent production and durability and was straight-up explosive early in his career, matching the dynamic college-to-pro jump of fellow former Oklahoma State star Barry Sanders. He still is the best all-around offensive skill weapon Buffalo has ever had.

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2. Jim Kelly (1986-1996)

Accolades: 11 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, one-time first-team All-Pro, one-time NFL passer rating leader, one-time NFL passing TDs leader, one-time NFL completion percentage leader

Why he made SN’s list: Jim Kelly, like contemporary QBs Dan Marino and Joe Montana, was a gritty product of eastern Pennsylvania, before he starred at Miami and first chose to play for the pre-defunct USFL’s Houston Gamblers. He became quickly beloved in Buffalo after his delay to play there, mastering a high-tempo, no-huddle offense to maximize the skill around him under head coach Marv Levy. From the K-Gun to his winning fight later in life vs. throat cancer, Kelly embodied his city with his tenacity and toughness.

Place in Bills history: Kelly, for many, is the first Bills player who comes to mind, wearing that classic No. 12 and leading four AFC championship teams. Despite the Super Bowl losses to tough NFC East teams, looking back, those were special days with Kelly as the heart and soul of it all.

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1. Bruce Smith (1985-1999)

Accolades: 15 seasons, 11 Pro Bowls, 8-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 2-time NFL forced fumbles co-leader, NFL all-time sacks leader (200)

Why he made SN’s list: Bruce Smith is the best pass-rushing defensive lineman in NFL history, and longevity while keeping up a high level of productive play makes him the best sack artist since quarterback tackles became an official stat. He ripped through offensive lines for consistent devastating impact, blowing up plays and entire game plans.

Place in Bills history: Smith is the best player in franchise history, and it’s not close with his domination. He lived up to being the No. 1 overall pick out of Virginia Tech in 1985, rivaling any Hall of Fame QB he may have sacked at least once as a potential best-ever top selection. 

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