![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/espn_ap-for-Conlan.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIn this April 1987 file photo, Shane Conlan receives a phone call from the Buffalo Bills after he was selected with the eighth pick in the first round of the NFL draft.
\nOBSERVER File Photo\n<\/p>\n
A week shy of 39 years ago, Shane Conlan sat in the basement of his Frewsburg home and watched the first round of the NFL draft unfold on ESPN.<\/p>\n
About 90 minutes in, his telephone rang.<\/p>\n
On the landline were Buffalo Bills general manager Bill Polian and head coach Marv Levy, who had just acquired the eighth overall pick from Houston in exchange for their No. 3 selection.<\/p>\n
That turned out to be Conlan.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was crazy,\u201d the former Penn State All-American linebacker recalled Thursday night via cellphone. \u201cI knew I was going to go in the top 10, but I had no idea that the Bills were even interested, honestly.\u201d<\/p>\n
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ESPN\u2019s Chris Berman looks at the 1987 draft board. Frewsburg native Shane Conlan was graded 10th overall and was ultimately selected No. 8 in the first round by the Bills.
\nAP Photo\n<\/p>\n
As it turned out, it was the just the right move for both Conlan and the Bills.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was awesome,\u201d he said. \u201cThey were my hometown team.\u201d<\/p>\n
More than three decades have passed since Conlan\u2019s retirement, but he remains connected to the franchise that selected him. So much so, in fact, that he will announce the Bills\u2019 selections in Rounds 2 and 3 in next week\u2019s draft, which will be held at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s obviously an honor,\u201d said Conlan, who now resides in suburban Sewickley. \u201cThey kind of knew I live (near) Pittsburgh, so I think that made it convenient for the NFL.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some of the other NFL Legends who will step to the microphone to announce draft picks are Tony Dorsett and Drew Pearson, Dallas; Calvin Johnson, Detroit; Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh; and Matt Millen, Las Vegas (formerly Oakland\/Los Angeles) Raiders.<\/p>\n
A total of 257 picks will be spread over seven rounds from Thursday through Saturday next week. Barring trades, the Bills\u2019 confirmed draft picks will be at No. 26, No. 91, No. 126, No. 165, No. 168, No. 182 and No. 220.<\/p>\n
Buffalo\u2019s 1987 draft class included 11 players. Six of them \u2014 Conlan, cornerback Nate Odomes, fullback Jamie Mueller, defensive end Leon Seals, tight end Keith McKeller and tackle Howard Ballard \u2014 helped form part of the nucleus that led the franchise to four straight Super Bowl appearances in the 1990s.<\/p>\n
Brandon Beane, the Bills\u2019 current GM, wouldn\u2019t mind a similar haul next week.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\tIn this April 1987 file photo, Shane Conlan receives a phone call from the Buffalo Bills after he was selected with the eighth pick in the first round of the NFL draft. \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\tESPN\u2019s Chris Berman looks at the 1987 draft board. Frewsburg native Shane Conlan was graded 10th overall and was ultimately selected No. 8 in the first round by the Bills. \t\t\t <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n FREDONIA \u2014 The Monday Night Vineyards Utility golf league will begin play on Monday, May 4 at 3:30 p.m. at the …<\/p>\n <\/p>\n LAKEWOOD \u2014 The bad weather didn\u2019t stop the Fredonia boys tennis team and neither did Maple Grove as the …<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conlan-draft-day-87-call.jpg\")
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\nOBSERVER File Photo<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/espn_ap-for-Conlan-371x300.jpg\")
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\nAP Photo<\/p>\n
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