Nickell Robey burst onto the scene as an undrafted rookie for the Buffalo Bills in 2013 and locked down the nickel cornerback role, excelling in Mike Pettine’s defense. The addition of another cornerback to the mix has left some questioning if he can hold onto that role in 2016.
“Last season, Robey was the 90th-highest-graded cornerback in the league, surrendering a 102.4 passer rating into his coverage and the fourth-most yards allowed (482) from the slot,” says Pro Football Focus.
Eric Eager, writing for PFF, notes free agent cornerback Sterling Moore could sneak in and take the job. Moore is on his fifth team since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He is probably best known by Bills fans for his two-interception game in 2011 and for defending a pass intended for Lee Evans late in the AFC Championship later that year. Pro Football Focus notes his positive grades.
“In 16 starts the last two seasons (between two teams), Moore has produced positive overall and coverage grades. Last season, he allowed just two touchdowns into his coverage on 74 targets, intercepting one pass and defending three.”
We expect both to make the team out of training camp but it will be interesting to see if Moore gets some work ahead of Robey in the coming months.