Building the Bills' Dream Team: A Two-Decade Retrospective
The Unanimous Quarterback and the Contested Running Back
While the choice for the Buffalo Bills' premier quarterback of the last two decades was clear, with Josh Allen securing the top spot without contention, the running back position presented a more complex decision. Pro Football Focus (PFF), utilizing its comprehensive player grading system, ultimately selected Fred Jackson as the leading rusher for this ultimate lineup. This decision was influenced by Jackson's extensive play time, accumulating over a thousand more snaps than any other Bills running back during the specified period. Despite strong contenders like LeSean McCoy, Marshawn Lynch, and James Cook, Jackson's significant contributions, particularly in receiving yards—nearly double that of any other Bills running back—solidified his position. He spent eight seasons with Buffalo, amassing 5,646 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns, alongside 322 receptions for 2,640 yards and seven additional scores, ranking him third in franchise history for rushing yards, behind legendary figures Thurman Thomas and O.J. Simpson. PFF's evaluations considered player grades from the 2006 to 2025 seasons, emphasizing a combination of peak performance over five best seasons and overall career longevity with the team.
Josh Allen's Elite Offensive Supporting Cast Across Eras
In this curated PFF offense, Josh Allen gains the advantage of playing alongside an exceptional group of offensive talents, drawn from various eras of the Buffalo Bills. Unlike typical scenarios where a dominant quarterback's all-PFF roster is primarily composed of current and former teammates, Allen's lineup sees a blend of history. His receiving corps features Stefon Diggs, who was indeed his contemporary, making four consecutive Pro Bowls from 2020 to 2023. However, he is joined by past standouts Lee Evans, known for his two 1,000-yard seasons, and Steve Johnson, the first Bills receiver to achieve three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The tight end positions are filled by current players Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, while the tackle spots are held by Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown. The interior offensive line, however, is significantly revamped, featuring center Eric Wood, left guard Richie Incognito, and right guard Kraig Urbik, bringing together a formidable group to support Allen.
Defensive Stalwarts: A Mix of Recent Success and Playoff Drought Heroes
The defensive selections for PFF's all-time Bills team reflect a fascinating mix of players from the team's recent period of success and those who shone during the challenging playoff drought era. Among the highest-rated defensive players were Kyle Williams and Jairus Byrd, both earning exceptional marks in PFF's system. Williams, a cornerstone of the Bills' defense for 13 seasons, received six Pro Bowl selections and became an iconic figure during the drought. The safety position presented another difficult choice for PFF, as the Bills have boasted one of the NFL's top safety duos in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer during the Sean McDermott era. Despite Poyer playing more snaps, Hyde and Byrd were chosen as the two starting safeties due to their superior overall grades, underscoring PFF's emphasis on individual performance metrics. Additionally, edge rusher Greg Rousseau and cornerback Christian Benford were the sole current Bills defenders to be named to this prestigious lineup.
The Ultimate Buffalo Bills Roster: A Comprehensive Overview
The Pro Football Focus "All-PFF Team" for the Buffalo Bills, encompassing players from the last two decades, presents a formidable and intriguing lineup. On offense, the team features Josh Allen at quarterback, Fred Jackson at running back, and a wide receiver trio of Stefon Diggs, Lee Evans, and Steve Johnson (slot). Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox fill the tight end roles. The offensive line is anchored by Dion Dawkins (LT), Richie Incognito (LG), Eric Wood (C), Kraig Urbik (RG), and Spencer Brown (RT). The defensive unit is equally impressive, with Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus at defensive tackle, Greg Rousseau and Jerry Hughes as edge rushers, and a linebacker core of Matt Milano, Paul Posluszny, and Lorenzo Alexander. The secondary is composed of Tre'Davious White and Christian Benford at cornerback, Taron Johnson as the slot cornerback, and Jairus Byrd and Micah Hyde at safety. This comprehensive roster highlights both the consistent excellence and surprising standout performances that have defined the Buffalo Bills over the past two decades, as evaluated by PFF's analytical grading system.
