Heading into the offseason, cornerback figured to be a need that Buffalo Bills' general manager Brandon Beane would address in both free agency and the draft. About one week into the new league year, and Buffalo's progress towards upgrading the CB room has left something to be desired.
Incumbent starter Christian Benford, who is presumably looking for a contract extension, has solidified himself as one of the best, and most underrated, cornerbacks in the NFL. He earned multiple All-Pro votes, and even appeared on a Defensive Player of the Year ballot. The former sixth-round pick out of Villanova has already locked up a starting spot for 2025.
The same can be said for Taron Johnson. One of the best slot corners in the NFL, the former second team All-Pro has demonstrated his skills in the passing game, but also stopping the run. This allowed the Bills to play the third most defensive snaps in nickel in the NFL in 2024, as Johnson is another lock for a starting spot in 2025.
The starting boundary corner opposite Benford is still a mystery, however, and it's likely the answer isn't currently on the roster. Right now, it's Jackson who projects to be in that spot, signing a one-year deal to return to Buffalo. While the former seventh round pick provides a safe floor who's familiar with Sean McDermott's system, he surrendered a passer rating of 123.6 when targeted last season in Carolina. Simply put, the addition of Jackson should not prevent the Bills from looking to upgrade their secondary.
Projected Starers: Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Dane Jackson
Projected Backups: Ja'Marcus Ingram, Daequan Hardy, Te'Cory Couch
The Bills don't have much depth at CB, with just three backups currently on the roster, two of which were on the practice squad in 2024. Ingram played 19 percent of defensive snaps last season, with his breakout game coming in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins, when he recorded two interceptions and took one back for a touchdown. When Benford went down in the AFC Championship with a concussion, however, it was the recently traded Kaiir Elam that took his place, not Ingram. Although another solid training camp could move Ingram up on the depth chart, the Bills preferred the unreliable Elam in the biggest game of the season.
Hardy and Couch were both signed to reserve/future deals at the end of the season. Hardy was a sixth round pick in 2024, and will compete for a roster spot to be the backup slot corner, while also offering abilities in the return game.
With a thin group at corner to begin with, the Bills will need to add more bodies to compete this offseason. Whether it's a veteran option in free agency, or spending a Day 1 or 2 pick on a rookie in the draft, expect Beane to continue making moves before the start of the 2025 season.
