Buffalo Bills: Top 10 First Round Draft Picks of All Time
By Paul Taylor
7) Shane Conlan
Selected: 8th overall in 1987
Played: 9 seasons, including 6 with the Bills
Career highlights: 3-time Pro Bowler, 3-time second team All Pro, 1987 NFL defensive rookie of the year
Shane Conlan quite rightly takes his place on this list, but he could have been ranked even higher. There is a certain feeling that he didn’t quite scale the heights he was truly capable of.
In the first half of his career, Conlan more than justified the Bills’ decision to trade down to the eight pick, to select him in the 1987 draft. Although never one of the glitziest of players, he was an exceptional run-stuffer and ferocious hitter.
The peak of the Frewsburg, New York native’s career was probably the 1990 season, when Buffalo earned their first ever trip to the Super Bowl. He particularly took his game to new heights during the playoffs, leading the team with 34 tackles.
Unfortunately, Conlan’s potential was never fully realized in Buffalo, partly because he had trouble staying healthy. He also smartly made the decision to sign a financially lucrative deal with the Los Angeles Rams, as part of the NFL’s inaugural free agent class in 1993.
The 53-year old played three years with the Rams before retiring, due to his ongoing injury issues. In truth, he could have achieved even more in his career, but still goes down as a Bills great.