The 1985 Buffalo Bills roster marked the first season for cornerstone players Jim Kelly (signed mid-season after USFL folded) and Bruce Smith, plus head coach Hank Bullough. Key personnel included:
Offensive Starters
- QB: Vince Ferragamo (starter first 5 games), Bruce Mathison (starter next 7 games), Jim Kelly (starter final 2 games)
- RB: Greg Bell
- FB: Robb Riddick
- WR: Jerry Butler, Chris Burkett, Byron Franklin
- TE: Tony Hunter
- LT: Ken Jones
- LG: Jim Richter
- C: Will Grant
- RG: Tim Vogler
- RT: Joe Devlin
Defensive Starters
- LE: Bruce Smith (rookie, overall #1 draft pick)
- NT: Fred Smerlas (also served as emergency placekicker)
- RE: Leon Seals
- LOLB: Ray Bentley
- LILB: Jim Haslett
- RILB: Darryl Talley
- ROLB: Eugene Marve
- LCB: Derrick Burroughs (rookie, 1st round)
- RCB: Charles Romes
- SS: Chris Williams
- FS: Steve Freeman
Specialists
- K: Scott Norwood
- P: John Kidd
Notable Reserves
- RB Joe Cribbs (held out entire season due to contract dispute with USFL)
- RB Andre Reed (rookie, primarily used as return specialist)
- RB Ronnie Harmon (rookie)
- QB Jim Kelly (joined team Nov 1)
- WR Pete Metzelaars
- OL Mike Hamby
- LB Jeff Wright
- NT Ben Williams
The team finished 2-14, last in the AFC East, with significant instability at quarterback until Jim Kelly's late-season arrival. This roster featured multiple young players who later became franchise legends in the late 1980s/early 1990s super bowl runs.
