When the Buffalo Bills selected Tre’Davious White with the 27th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, they knew they were getting a polished prospect. At the end of Buffalo’s mandatory minicamp, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind as to that fact.
After four years starting for a vaunted program that produced players like Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu, White entered the draft with the reputation of a technically refined, intelligent player. Through rookie camp, OTAs, and the team’s minicamp, White has played much more effectively than his age might have suggested.
On the very first play of 11-on-11 at Thursday’s practice, White jumped a pass intended for Sammy Watkins and came up with an interception. It was the third straight day that White forced a turnover during practice.
White’s success has stood out to the coaching staff, not just the journalists in the stands. During Thursday’s press conference, head coach Sean McDermott remarked that he had found very little to criticize about White’s play yet, saying that White was already playing “like a second- or third-year player at this point.”
The Bills still have training camp, four preseason games, and a full season ahead of them. But while it’s early, it’s nice to see signs that the team will get good returns from their rookie as they hope to make up for the departure of former starter Stephon Gilmore.