The Buffalo Bills are going into the summer with a big question mark at cornerback, with no clear candidate to win the starting job alongside Christian Benford.
While rookie Maxwell Hairston and returning veteran Tre’Davious White are considered frontrunners for the job, one insider believes there could be a surprise candidate to emerge at training camp.
Bills Could Turn to Former Practice Squad Member
Maddy Glab, reporter for the team’s official website, noted that the race for CB2 is wide open this summer. She predicted that one potential surprise could come from Ja’Marcus Ingram, a former University of Buffalo player who worked his way up from the practice squad to a regular role last season.
“One player who has been on the roster for the last few years who will get a go at the job is cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram,” Glab wrote. “Ingram is no stranger to Buffalo’s defense as he joined the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2022. The CB recorded two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, during the 2024 season.”
The 27-year-old Ingram appeared in only five games through his first two seasons with the Bills but became a regular in 2024. He appeared in 17 games with one start, making 24 total tackles with two interceptions and one sack.
Tre White Could Return to Starting Role
While the Bills made a big investment in Hairston, landing the Kentucky cornerback with a first-round pick, White could also be a strong candidate for the starting job due to his familiarity with head coach Sean McDermott.
White had been with the Bills since 2017, earning All-Pro honors before his career was derailed by a pair of major injuries. He was released last offseason and spent time with the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens last season before re-joining the Bills in the spring.
“I feel like I’m coming back as a better player in so many different ways than just on the field,” White told the team’s official. “I feel like I can give my teammates more knowledge, just younger guys too. And just me, myself, is just bringing more gratefulness and appreciation to the game.”
Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich added that White has already made a big impact on the team, starting with his infectious work ethic.
“It’s just great to be around Tre’Davious again,” Babich said. “His energy is infectious…But his work ethic is second to none. Right now, really what you’re seeing is Tre’Davious working himself back, ingratiating himself back into the Bills system.”
The Bills also added another former cornerback to the roster, re-signing Dane Jackson after he spent the 2024 season with the Carolina Panthers. Jackson has been a starting cornerback for the Bills in the past, starting 14 games in 2022. He notched career highs that season with 57 total tackles and two interceptions.
The Bills under McDermott have often moved rookies along slowly, especially on defense, which could put either White or Jackson in line to start early on as Hairston works on getting up to speed in the NFL.
