The Buffalo Bills have a major need at cornerback this offseason. Beyond All-Pro Tre’Davious White, they have solid options under contract in Levi Wallace and Taron Johnson, but that’s not enough to get by.
With Kevin Johnson set to hit free agency, the only other option they have is converted safety Siran Neal. Neal is a big slot cornerback at best, who uses his size to cover and tackle tight ends or running backs. He’s not fluid enough to cover receivers.
So at second cornerback, the Bills began stealing reps for Wallace to give to Johnson last offseason as the pair fought with E.J. Gaines for the starting job. Wallace won the job, but over the course of the year the team began sprinkling in the more athletic former first-round pick and Johnson was given series to play.
Without Johnson, Buffalo has none of the depth that they have needed over the last several years. White has been a workhorse, missing few snaps over his entire career but that can’t last forever. Buffalo will need to invest a mid-round draft pick or a mid-tier free agent at minimum to keep the position strong heading into 2020. That could include re-signing Johnson to be their top CB2 or their top depth cornerback.
Next Read
- All-22 analysis of Kevin Johnson’s 2019 season
- All-22 analysis of Levi Wallace’s 2019 season
- Contract projection shows a pay increase for Kevin Johnson in 2020
- Buffalo Bills don’t have enough cornerbacks for 2020 offseason
- Value free agent options limited at cornerback
- 2020 NFL Draft prospects could be starters or depth
- Opinion: Bills would be fine with Wallace as CB2, but they’ll need to add depth or re-sign Johnson