The 1985 NFL Draft: How the Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys Built Dynasties

Before the bright lights of the modern draft era, a single Tuesday in April 1985 reshaped the landscape of the NFL for the next two decades. From the arrival of the most prolific pass rusher in history to a “phantom” pick that fueled the Cowboys’ 90s dynasty, the 1985 draft was a masterclass in long-term scouting and legendary value.

1985 Draft Storyline

April 30, 1985 – Virginia Tech defensive end Bruce Smith was the first pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 1985 NFL Draft. The great pass rusher found himself in the Pro Football Hall of Fame once he was eligible. Others from this class that have been found worthy of the Gold Jacket according to the Pro Football Reference are Chris Doleman, who was selected fourth by Minnesota, wide receiver Jerry Rice, who was the 16th overall selection by San Francisco, and fellow wideout Andre Reed, who was taken at the 86th spot by the Bills.

The steal of the draft, though, was the Rams’ selection of linebacker Kevin Greene with the 5th-round, 113th pick. A selection that should not go unnoticed was that of Dallas at 114 who selected Herschel Walker, a running back who headed for the USFL, but when that league folded, Dallas had his rights and they parlayed that a few years later to receive multiple players and draft picks for him from the Vikings and the Cowboys used the capital to become a dynasty in just a few short years thereafter.

Conclusion

The 1985 NFL Draft remains one of the most impactful in league history, not just for the players who took the field immediately, but for the strategic maneuvers that defined the era. Between the Bills landing two cornerstones of their four-year Super Bowl run in Smith and Reed, and the Cowboys executing the ultimate “futures” play with Herschel Walker, 1985 proved that a draft isn’t just about winning on Sunday—it’s about building a decade of dominance.

Complete List of Players in the NFL Draft

While hundreds of players were selected over twelve rounds, these Hall of Fame legends and impact players defined the class:

Special thanks to Pro-Football-Reference.com.