Shane Conlan was drafted No. 8 overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1987 NFL Draft out of Penn State. 120 regular-season games · 8 seasons as a starter · 61 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #8
- Round
- 1
- Draft class
- 1987
- NFL games
- 120
- Years as starter
- 8
- Career AV
- 6114th at Penn State
- Pro Bowls
- 3
The pick
How Shane Conlan came off the board in 1987.
- Position
- Linebacker LB
- College
-
Penn State
Big Ten at the draft
- Side of the ball
- Defense
NFL career
120 regular-season games · 8 seasons as a starter · 61 career approximate value
- Games played
- 120
- Seasons as a starter
- 8
- Career approximate value
- 6114th among Penn State picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 5082% of career value
- Final season
- 19958 years after the draft
- Accolades
- 3× Pro Bowl
Around pick 8
Who came off the board on either side of Shane Conlan.
Colorado State
Washington
Miami · 2× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl
Purdue · Hall of Fame · 6× All-Pro · 11× Pro Bowl
Penn State in the 1987 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Penn State
#80
Tim Manoa
RB · CLE
Penn State
#81
Steve Smith
RB · LV
Penn State
#84
Don Graham
LB · TB
Penn State
#126
John Bruno
P · ARI
Penn State
#132
Chris Conlin
G · MIA
Penn State
#141
Tim Johnson
DT · PIT
Penn State
#162
Bob White
LB · SF
Penn State
#222
Dan Morgan
G · DEN
Penn State
#247
Bob Ontko
LB · IND
Penn State
#268
Sid Lewis
DB · NYJ
Penn State
#286
Brian Siverling
TE · DET
Penn State
Other LB picks from Penn State
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
Micah Parsons
LB · DAL · 2021
Penn State · 3× All-Pro · 5× Pro Bowl
#91
NaVorro Bowman
LB · SF · 2010
Penn State · 4× All-Pro · 3× Pro Bowl
#2
LaVar Arrington
LB · WAS · 2000
Penn State · 3× Pro Bowl
#55
Sean Lee
LB · DAL · 2010
Penn State · 1× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl
#43
Matt Millen
LB · LV · 1980
Penn State · 1× Pro Bowl
#34
Paul Posluszny
LB · BUF · 2007
Penn State · 1× Pro Bowl
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Shane Conlan in the 1987 NFL Draft
Shane Conlan is a Linebacker out of Penn State selected No. 8 overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1987 NFL Draft. 120 regular-season games · 8 seasons as a starter · 61 career approximate value Penn State has produced 248 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Shane Conlan drafted?
Shane Conlan was selected No. 8 overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1987 NFL Draft (Rd 1). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1987/shane-conlan.
What college did Shane Conlan play for?
Shane Conlan played college football at Penn State in the Big Ten. See every Penn State draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/penn-state-nittany-lions.
How did Shane Conlan's NFL career turn out?
120 regular-season games · 8 seasons as a starter · 61 career approximate value Accolades: 3× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1987/shane-conlan.