1. Do you remember watching the draft when you were younger? If so, does a certain player or moment stand out to you?
When I was drafted obviously, we had a heavy receiver draft in '96 but I followed the draft after me – even when I retired. I've watched a lot of the Bills' drafts and I've been intrigued by a lot of players and I was excited when they drafted a guy like Kyle Williams, and I enjoyed when they drafted Sammy Watkins. So, I've kept up with a lot of the drafts in the past and a lot of the Bills players.
2. What was the most memorable part of the draft process for you?
Well, it was very stressful. I mean, you have a lot of teams, being a first-round pick, interested. Like I said, in '96, it was a receiver heavy draft, so you would get calls from teams that were interested in maybe drafting you. They would tell you, 'Hold on a second. We're thinking about drafting you or another guy, so we're going to make a decision soon.' You're sitting there waiting and then the team comes, and they drafted another player. So, it's just one of those things that's very stressful but when it's all over with, and your name is called, you get that phone call, it makes it worthwhile.
3. Can you describe how you felt in the days, hours, leading up to the draft?
I was home with family. I had about seven news crews there, so I had about 400-500 people. They were having a party outside and I was inside with a lot of my immediate family and we had news crews coming in, and things of that nature. The cameras made it a little more stressful, but it was a fun process.
4. How did you react when your named was called? What was the celebration like?
It was kind of a delayed reaction because you try to tell family and friends, 'Do not call this line.' But there's always somebody that calls, whether it's an aunt, grandparent, uncle or something. They're calling just to talk to your mom. You're thinking it's a team, so everybody in the house gets quite and then you have to give the phone to your mom [and say], 'It's for you. It's my uncle.' But, eventually, when I got the call from the Bills, at the time, the late general manager got on the line and then he gave it to Marv Levy. When I talked to Marv Levy for about three-four minutes, I knew that I was officially a Bill. I knew where I was going, so it took a lot of pressure off me. I just continued to, after that, enjoy my family and friends and all of a sudden all of the Bills gear came on.
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 many phone calls do you think you received after you were drafted?
I left the party with my closest friend. We decided to leave the party, sneak away. We said we were going to the store to get some more sodas. So, we snuck away. After that, my mom said a lot of people called to congratulate me, but I just wanted to get away with my best friend because he was with me through the whole process. And I decided, 'Let's just get out of here for a couple of hours' and actually, we just went fishing and got away from everybody.
6. What's it been like for you to see how much the draft has changed since yours?
It's crazy. You look at social media – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok…There's a lot of coverage that's going to happen during the draft. I think you have more access to players nowadays than you did when we were playing because you can actually watch players work out. You can see and really communicate with players more so than you could when we played. We were in that era where you hear about Michael Jordan, those people now. You couldn't have access to Michael Jordan as much because he didn't have social media back then. We were in that era that we didn't have that. So, a lot of fans now can identify with players a little bit more because you have access to direct message that player and if that player responds back to you or you can follow a player.
7. Do you have any advice for guys that are draft eligible this year?
My biggest thing I would tell them, is just enjoy and have patience. The draft is a long process in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth rounds. So, if your name is not called, that doesn't mean [it won't be]. If you're the first pick in the draft, it doesn't mean you're going to be the best player to come out of that draft. If you're the last player picked, it doesn't mean you're going to be the worst player in that draft. You can look at so many scenarios. You look at Bruce Smith, who turned out to be one of the best defensive ends of all time and he was the first pick in the draft. You look at Tom Brady, who was a sixth-round pick, and ends up being one of the best quarterbacks to every play. So, it doesn't really matter where you get drafted. I just tell guys to enjoy the process, have fun with your family, friends and soak it all in because if you're drafted, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
