After a relatively quiet offseason — at least compared to 2024 — the Bills have made their NFL draft needs fairly obvious, and cornerback is at the top of that list.
With returning Bill Dane Jackson currently slotted in as the second boundary cornerback across from Christian Benford, it would be shocking if the team didn't draft Rasul Douglas' real replacement, who is still unsigned in free agency and doesn't appear to be returning to Buffalo any time soon.
Luckily for the Bills, the top end of this year's cornerback class is stacked and there are many players who can be day-one starters at the NFL level. But each player comes with their pros and cons, which come in different forms.
A handful of the talented cornerbacks are dealing with injury questions and some of them are older than the typical NFL draft prospect. Either way, the Bills have options and it will interesting to see what they value come draft day later this month.
Here are six potential options for the Bills at No. 30 and beyond:
1. Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
If the Bills are looking to add speed to their defensive secondary, Hairston's 4.28s 40-yard dash ranked first amongst all qualified players at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
Hairston's impressive speed and fluidity enabled him to close down passing windows during his college career. The former Kentucky Wildcat displayed elite ball skills, intercepting 6 passes and returning 3 of them for touchdowns while playing in the NCAA's Southeastern Conference.
At 5'11" with just 31" arms, he's considered slightly undersized for an outside cornerback but his change of direction and awareness skills allow him to stay in phase.
While dealing with a shoulder injury in 2024, he struggled as an open field tackler and run defender, but his 2023 tape suggests he has the potential to improve in those areas when healthy. He projects as a late first to early second round pick that will likely be off the board when Buffalo submits their card at the tail end of day 2.
If he joins the Bills, it means he was probably their first round draft pick in 2025.
2. Trey Amos, Ole Miss
While Hairston has arguably the highest ceiling on this list, Amos likely has the highest floor and would be considered the safest pick.
After starting his college career with the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns before transferring to Alabama and then Ole Miss, Amos finally become an impact starter with the Rebels in 2024. He's an experienced player who has the benefit of learning multiple defensive systems, adding to his versatility.
The 6'1", 195 pound corner displays an ability to effectively shut down opposing receivers in both man and zone coverage — and playing at two different powerhouse programs gave him an opportunity to polish his technique against future NFL stars, in both games and practice.
With Amos versatility comes his ability to play press-man coverage, something the Bills cornerbacks haven't been used to doing in year's past, but might have to learn as the team potentially transitions to a more man-on-man defensive scheme moving forward.
3. Shavon Revel, East Carolina
Listed at 6'2" with nearly 33" inch arms, Shavon Revel is built like a prototypical boundary corner at the NFL level — which is what the Bills defense is currently missing alongside Benford.
The former East Carolina Pirate is coming off a torn ACL which he suffered in September and played only one productive full season in college, but he has the physical tools to become a dominant outside corner if he can refine his technique and safely return from injury.
His length and speed make him an effective press corner who can recover quite easily, even if he loses the first step. However, he will need to improve his zone coverage skills and discipline as he looks to become a plus starter in the NFL.
If the Bills are willing to bet on a small sample size for a player who is recovering from a significant injury, they could find him in the late stages of Round 2, assuming other teams risk assessment's pummel his draft stock.
Revel profiles as perhaps the greatest 'boom-or-bust' prospect on this list, but when healthy, he could become the difference making defender Buffalo has been searching for.
4. Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
Morrison is another cornerback dealing with injury concerns as he enters the NFL Draft. Before suffering a season-ending hip injury in October 2024, he was considered to be one of the top corners in this class — and now he won't hear his name called until day two.
Morrison's shining moment in college football came in 2023, when he limited Marvin Harrison Jr. to just three catches for 32 yards and no touchdowns. The 21-year old cornerback has been a difference maker since his first days at Notre Dame when he recorded six interceptions as a true freshman in 2022.
However, Morrison's game took a step back this past season. Coupled with an injury that could affect his entire NFL career, there's reason for teams to be skeptical about the former Fighting Irish defender.
Morrison is expected to host a private workout for interested teams ahead of the draft where he can prove that his injury is behind him and he's ready to be an impact player at the next level. If that's the case, one lucky NFL team will be getting a young and talented player whose brightest days potentially lie ahead.
5. Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State
Coming in as the youngest player on this list, Thomas has plenty of time to reach his full potential. He profiles as a press-man corner who can play the boundary given his 6'2" frame and 10" hands.
Thomas has already been a two year starting cornerback at the college level before he turns 21 years old this summer, and his 14 pass breakups over the past two seasons display his length and impressive ability to stay in phase while in man coverage.
Unfortunately, Thomas only ran a 4.56s 40-yard dash at the Florida State pro day which likely affects his draft stock, but Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter was clocked in the 4.6s range ahead of last year's draft before becoming one of the best rookie cornerbacks in football — so all hope is not lost for Thomas.
Unlike the next player on this list, Thomas will only be turning 24 years old when he becomes in line to sign his first contract extension in the NFL. If the former Seminole is developed by the right organization, he can become a cornerstone boundary defender for years to come.
6. Darien Porter, Iowa State
Porter enters this year's draft as one of the more polarizing cornerbacks on the board. At nearly 6'3" with 4.3s speed in the 40-yard dash, his athletic profile is off the charts — and so was his production in 2024.
The only problem is that he's already 24 years old and has only been playing cornerback for three years.
After playing three years at wide reciever for Iowa State, Porter finally transitioned to the defensive side of the ball prior to the 2022 season. Along with being a core special teamer who blocked 5 kicks during his college career (4 punts, 1 FG), Porter has special movement and ball skills that will translate to the next level.
The former Cyclone is sticky in coverage and has been effective as both a zone defender and man coverage corner who recorded one of the lowest passer ratings allowed in college football this past season. Porter is a gifted athlete who could make a general manager look smart on day two if they're willing to accept that he's already 24 years old.
We'll see what the Bills are betting on come night one of the NFL draft later this month, but Bills fans can bet that one of these six cornerbacks will be wearing red and blue come September.
