1. Do you remember watching the draft when you were younger? If so, does a certain player or moment stand out to you?
Yeah, so I definitely watched mostly every year – at least the first round. One of the ones that stood out the most to me was Marcus Mariota from a couple years ago, how he was projected to go, I think, first or second but he still decided to stay home with his friends or family, which I thought was really cool. Obviously, I didn't have that issue to decide to stay home or not because I wasn't going to go top 10. But I thought it was cool how he still decided to be home with his family and see all of his loved ones at the same time as the pick. That's probably the biggest specific memory I have of one person during the draft, but it made me realize how cool it was to actually be doing that same thing with my closest friends and family at home.
2. What was the most memorable part of the draft process for you?
The most memorable part for me was probably the team visits, where they would fly you out and you'd meet the coaches, see the facility. I actually wasn't supposed to visit Buffalo until very last minute. I think it was two days before the official 30 visits closed that I got a call from my agent, telling me that there was a Buffalo last minute trip scheduled and I was really excited just to get one more in before the deadline. Once I got there, my eyes were open to how cool Buffalo really is as a city and how nice the facilities are.
Most other facilities were very basic, and I mean in college, in the SEC, all the teams are competing with each other to recruit players and everything's got to be the best of the best. It wasn't like that everywhere in the NFL but then I got to Buffalo, and it was nicer than anything I'd ever seen before. It was really cool and then finally getting to sit down with Coach Boras and Coach McDermott, Coach Daboll, go out to dinner…it was pretty awesome to get to know everybody. That made it a lot more exciting when I actually got picked.
3. Can you describe how you felt in the days, hours, leading up to the draft?
Those are good words to describe it – anxious and nervous and also just excitement. I was just so ready to know where I was going because there had been so much anticipation for months. Technically, there are 32 cities and I didn't know which one I was going to end up in. So, I was very excited and very anxious to see where I was going to be spending the next few years of my life. Then the first night of the draft, the first round, I watched on TV. Then we actually went to the midnight premiere of "Avengers: Endgame." So, I was really excited about that after the first round and it was kind of weird, watching that movie and knowing the next day my life was going to be changed forever – hopefully the next day or next two days. It was a big mix of emotions leading up to it.
4. Did you watch the second and third rounds at home with your family? What was your setup like?
Yeah, so we were hoping that I would be drafted on Day 2, which was the second and third rounds. My mom loves going all out for stuff like this, so she went and got a projector screen for the living room and had extra seating. I could fit some friends in there and most of my family. Thankfully, most all my family lives in Nashville, so I was just at my parents' house. They had a great setup. We had a bunch of food and finally when the pick rolled around, everybody was able to sit there and watch it, which was really fun.
Scroll through to view photos of notable Bills second-round draft picks throughout franchise history. The Bills are currently slated to have their first pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft at number 54 overall.
Oklahoma offensive tackle Cody Ford walks on stage after being selected by the Buffalo Bills during the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft on Friday, April 26, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Cody Ford poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the Buffalo Bills selected Ford during the second round of the NFL football draft, Friday, April 26, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
2019 | Cody Ford, OT | Oklahoma
The Bills traded up to take Ford at #38 overall in last year's draft. He appeared in every game for the Bills in his rookie season at right tackle, and started the team's playoff game at Houston.
Cody Ford, Buffalo Bills second round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, with Brandon Beane and Terry & Kim Pegula at One Bills Drive on April 27, 2019.
Photo by Bill Wippert
2001 | Travis Henry, RB | Tennessee
Henry was selected number 58 overall, and put forth productive seasons during his four years in Buffalo. He made the Pro Bowl once as a Bill, and his 27 rushing touchdowns as a Bill are sixth-most in team history.
Buffalo Bills running back Travis Henry (20) runs with the football during a Week 1 NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on September 7, 2003. The Bills defeated the Patriots 31-0. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
2001 | Travis Henry, RB | Tennessee
Henry was selected number 58 overall, and put forth productive seasons during his four years in Buffalo. He made the Pro Bowl once as a Bill, and his 27 rushing touchdowns as a Bill are sixth-most in team history.
Buffalo Bills running back Travis Henry (20) picks up 5 yards against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter as Cowboys linebacker Al Singleton (51) makes an attempt at the tackle but misses Sunday, Nov. 9, 2003, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Donna McWiliam)
2001 | Travis Henry, RB | Tennessee
Henry was selected number 58 overall, and put forth productive seasons during his four years in Buffalo. He made the Pro Bowl once as a Bill, and his 27 rushing touchdowns as a Bill are sixth-most in team history.
Buffalo Bills running back Travis Henry (20) runs with the football during a Week 1 NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on September 7, 2003. The Bills defeated the Patriots 31-0. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
2011 | Aaron Williams, DB | Texas
Williams was taken #34 overall, and started 52 games for the Bills during his six seasons in Buffalo. Williams was a versatile piece for the Bills on defense.
2011 | Aaron Williams, DB | Texas
Williams was taken #34 overall, and started 52 games for the Bills during his six seasons in Buffalo. Williams was a versatile piece for the Bills on defense.
2011 | Aaron Williams, DB | Texas
Williams was taken #34 overall, and started 52 games for the Bills during his six seasons in Buffalo. Williams was a versatile piece for the Bills on defense.
2001 | Aaron Schobel, DE | TCU
Schobel was selected 46th overall, and spent all nine seasons of his career as a Buffalo Bill. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2006 and 2007, and his 78 sacks as a Bill ranks second in franchise history.
2001 | Aaron Schobel, DE | TCU
Schobel was selected 46th overall, and spent all nine seasons of his career as a Buffalo Bill. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2006 and 2007, and his 78 sacks as a Bill ranks second in franchise history.
2001 | Aaron Schobel, DE | TCU
Schobel was selected 46th overall, and spent all nine seasons of his career as a Buffalo Bill. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2006 and 2007, and his 78 sacks as a Bill ranks second in franchise history.
2005 | Roscoe Parrish, WR | Miami
Parrish was taken with the 55th pick, and was a versatile receiver and return man. His 1,622 punt return yards are the most in franchise history, and his three punt return touchdowns as a Buffalo Bill are tied for the most in franchise history.
2005 | Roscoe Parrish, WR | Miami
Parrish was taken with the 55th pick, and was a versatile receiver and return man. His 1,622 punt return yards are the most in franchise history, and his three punt return touchdowns as a Buffalo Bill are tied for the most in franchise history.
2005 | Roscoe Parrish, WR | Miami
Parrish was taken with the 55th pick, and was a versatile receiver and return man. His 1,622 punt return yards are the most in franchise history, and his three punt return touchdowns as a Buffalo Bill are tied for the most in franchise history.
2003 | Chris Kelsay, DE | Nebraska
Kelsay was the 48th overall selection, and spent his entire 10 season career with the Bills. He started 120 games for the Bills and had 32.5 sacks during his career.
2003 | Chris Kelsay, DE | Nebraska
Kelsay was the 48th overall selection, and spent his entire 10 season career with the Bills. He started 120 games for the Bills and had 32.5 sacks during his career.
2003 | Chris Kelsay, DE | Nebraska
Kelsay was the 48th overall selection, and spent his entire 10 season career with the Bills. He started 120 games for the Bills and had 32.5 sacks during his career.
1997 | Marcellus Wiley, DE | Columbia
Wiley was selected #52 overall, and had four very productive seasons to start his career in Buffalo before playing for three more teams before retiring.
Buffalo Bills defensive end Marcellus Wiley (75) sets for play in an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sept. 13, 1998. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
1997 | Marcellus Wiley, DE | Columbia
Wiley was selected #52 overall, and had four very productive seasons to start his career in Buffalo before playing for three more teams before retiring.
Marcellus Wiley, right, is congratulated by unidentified man as he gathered with relatives in Los Angeles after he was drafted into the NFL by the Buffalo Bills during the second round Saturday, April 19, 1997. The 280-pound defensive end was the 52nd draft choice. (AP Photo/John Hayes)
1997 | Marcellus Wiley, DE | Columbia
Wiley was selected #52 overall, and had four very productive seasons to start his career in Buffalo before playing for three more teams before retiring.
Buffalo Bills defensive end Marcellus Wiley (75) tackles Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams (34) during a week 6 NFL football game Oct. 8, 2000 in Miami. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
1988 | Thurman Thomas, RB | Oklahoma State
Thomas was selected #40 overall, and went on to have one of the best careers by a running back in NFL history. He is the Bills record holder in a number of categories, including rushing touchdowns and yards. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and had his number 34 retired by the Bills in 2018.
Buffalo Bills' running back Thurman Thomas carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs for a touchdown in the first quarter, of the AFC Championship football game in this Jan. 23, 1994 file photo in Orchard Park, N.Y. Thomas was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
1988 | Thurman Thomas, RB | Oklahoma State
Thomas was selected #40 overall, and went on to have one of the best careers by a running back in NFL history. He is the Bills record holder in a number of categories, including rushing touchdowns and yards. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and had his number 34 retired by the Bills in 2018.
Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas waves to the crowd after his number 34 was retired by the Buffalo Bills during the jersey retirement ceremony at halftime. - Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots at New Era Field, October 29, 2018.
Photo by Craig Melvin
1988 | Thurman Thomas, RB | Oklahoma State
Thomas was selected #40 overall, and went on to have one of the best careers by a running back in NFL history. He is the Bills record holder in a number of categories, including rushing touchdowns and yards. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and had his number 34 retired by the Bills in 2018.
Buffalo Bills back Thurman Thomas (34) jumps in the air as he celebrates his second quarter touchdown against Los Angeles Raiders, Sunday, Jan 15 ,1994 in Orchard Park, NY . The Bills beat defeated the Raiders 29-23. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes)
1983 | Darryl Talley, LB | West Virginia
Talley was selected #39 overall, and went on to have one of the best careers ever by a Buffalo Bill. He was a massive part of some of the league's best defenses during his 12 seasons in Buffalo, and had 38.5 sacks as a Bill.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Darryl Talley (56) watches play from the sidelines during the AFC Divisional Playoff, a 37-14 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on January 5, 1992, at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt) * Local Caption*
1983 | Darryl Talley, LB | West Virginia
Talley was selected #39 overall, and went on to have one of the best careers ever by a Buffalo Bill. He was a massive part of some of the league's best defenses during his 12 seasons in Buffalo, and had 38.5 sacks as a Bill.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Darryl Talley (56) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos Dec. 12, 1992, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (Tony Tomsic via AP)
1983 | Darryl Talley, LB | West Virginia
Talley was selected #39 overall, and went on to have one of the best careers ever by a Buffalo Bill. He was a massive part of some of the league's best defenses during his 12 seasons in Buffalo, and had 38.5 sacks as a Bill.
The Buffalo Bills' Darryl Talley (56) heads for a touchdown after intercepting a Jay Schroeder pass in the first quarter of AFC Championship game Sunday, Jan. 20, 1991 in Orchard Park. For the Raiders is Bruce Wilkerson, left, and Tim Brown, right. In back for the Bills is Kirby Jackson. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
5. How did you react when your named was called? Did you celebrate after?
Yeah, it was straight up celebration. Everybody was going nuts. My face started hurting from smiling so much. Friends were jumping on me. My brother actually was so excited, I don't think anyone knows this except for my family but, he went in to hug me so hard that he kind of basically punched me in the face, trying to hug me. It cut my lip, so there are pictures of me smiling with blood all in my teeth. I didn't really even notice it until someone pointed it out. There was so much adrenaline going. It was pretty funny.
It was just such a fun night. We actually were able to go downtown in Nashville after the pick, which was cool obviously because the draft was there, and we got to see everybody – the energy downtown and see the stage. It's crazy because the very first people we saw after getting out of a little bus that we rented to do downtown – there were hundreds of thousands of people in Nashville – were Carol Le Blanc who was the lady who announced the pick. She was on the corner of the road with her husband, just in the middle of [nowhere]. It wasn't even on Broadway – I think they were on their way home. So, the chances that we saw them, the very first people, was kind of crazy.
I signed the pick card for them and stuff, so it was really cool. What are the odds of that?
6. Do you have any advice for guys that are draft eligible this year?
Leading up to the draft, you don't want to get to nervous, you don't want to think to much into it, because it's really out of your control. So, just keep a level head, be thankful for the opportunity that you're given and just know that once everybody rolls into minicamp and OTAs start, it's not about where you got drafted. It's about how you play on the field. So, it's kind of like college recruiting, where the stars disappear after you get there. But, enjoy the process. It only happens once.
