Bama in the NFL: The Buffalo Bills were AFC Kings with Cornelius Bennett

Although the franchise has only drafted a handful of Crimson Tide players, Alabama has has a huge impact on the Bills.

When it comes to the NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills have selected fewer former Alabama Crimson Tide players than any longstanding franchise. Overall, the team has made just five selections, of which three have been during the Nick Saban era, topped by Marcell Dareus, the third-overall pick in 2011. 

But one of the best, and most successful players in Bills history came out of Alabama, and helped key the franchise's amazing run of four straight Super Bowls in the early 1990s. Of course, we're talking about Cornelius Bennett. 

After being the second-overall selection in the 1987 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, the two sides were unable to come to an agreement on a contract. Shortly before the trade deadline, Bennett was part of an unusual massive three-way deal that also included Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson and Buffalo running back Greg Bell, sending his negotiating rights to the Bills.

It’s considered the move that made Buffalo a title contender, although some didn’t see it that way at the time.

“I don’t know how we ever made the trade for Cornelius Bennett,” former Bills general manager Marv Levy said. “I was opposed to what we had to give up, it was so much. A first, a second, Greg Bell and so on. Finally at 3 in the morning I told Bill Polian, ‘OK, let’s go along with it.’ 

"The next year, we didn’t have a first-round pick and we needed a top-shelf running back. We took one in the second round. A guy named Thurman Thomas.”

Because of his holdout, Bennett played in only eight games as a rookie, but recorded 8½ sacks. A year later he helped the Bills win their first AFC Eastern Division title in eight years, and made the first of five appearances in the Pro Bowl.

During his 14 National Football League seasons, Bennett notched 71 sacks, seven interceptions, and his 26 fumble recoveries ranked third in league history. He was an All-Pro and played in a fifth Super Bowl with the Atlanta Falcons.

Bama in the NFL: Buffalo Bills

Although the franchise has only drafted a handful of Crimson Tide players, Alabama has has a huge impact on the Bills.

The Franchise

American Football Conference

East Division

Team Colors: Royal, Red, White and Navy

Founded: 1960 as chartered member of the AFL, joined the NFL as part of the 1070 merger. 

Stadium: Highmark Stadium

Playing Surface: A-Turf Titan

Training Camp: Orchard Park, NY

All-Time Alabama Players

1. Ray Abruzzese, DB, 1962 - 1964
2. Mark Anderson, DE, 2012
3. Cornelius Bennett, LB, 1987 - 1995
4. Marcell Dareus, DT, 2011 - 2017
5. Robert Foster, WR, 2018 - 2019
6. Scott Hunter, QB, 1974
7. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, 2014 - 2016
8. Jared Mayden, DB, 2022
9. Chris Mohr, P, 1991 - 2000
10. Ricky Moore, RB, 1986
11. Levi Wallace, DB, 2018 - 2021
12. Shaud Williams, RB, 2004 - 2006
13. John Wyhonic, G, 1948 - 1949
14. T.J. Yeldon, RB, 2019 - 2020
15. Sid Youngelman, DT/DE, 1962 - 1963

Crimson Tide Players Drafted

Year	Player	Position	Round	Pick	Overall
1962 (AFL)	Ray Abruzzese	RB	23	4	180
1988	Bo Wright	RB	7	19	184
2011	Marcell Dareus	DT	1	3	3
2014	Cyrus Kouandjio	T	2	12	44
2016	Reggie Ragland	LB	2	10	41

Super Bowl Appearances

Cornelius Bennett and Chris Mohr, Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII

• Jan. 27, 1991: Giants 20, Bills 19 
• Jan. 26, 1992: Redskins 37, Bills 24
• Jan. 31, 1993: Cowboys 52, Bills 17  
• Jan. 30, 1994: Cowboys 30, Bills 13 

Bennett tallied 21 tackles in the four games. 

Chris Mohr had 14 punts, including six within the 20, in three games.

Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith (78) and linebacker Cornelius Bennett (97) react on the field during Super Bowl XXV against the New York Giants at Tampa Stadium / USA Today Sports

Notable Awards/Honors

All-Pro 

Cornelius Bennett (1): 1988

Marcell Dareus (1): 2014

Pro Bowl

Cornelius Bennett (5): 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

Marcell Dareus (2): 2013, 2014

NFL 1990s All-Decade Team

Cornelius Bennett

Buffalo Bills 50th Anniversary Team

Cornelius Bennett

In conjunction with our revamped Bama in the NFL Database, this is the fourth story in a series examining the team-by-team history of Alabama's former players in the NFL.

AFC

• Baltimore Ravens

NFC

• Arizona Cardinals
• Atlanta Falcons

See Also:

Bama in the NFL: The Ultimate Crimson Tide Database
Bama in the NFL: Active Alabama Crimson Tide Players by Team