By almost all accounts, the Buffalo Bills have had a strong offseason. Buffalo traded for a bona fide No. 1 receiver in Stefon Diggs, added versatile and productive defensive linemen (Vernon Butler, Mario Addison and Quinton Jefferson) and added some much-needed talent to the corner position with the acquisitions of E.J. Gaines and Josh Norman.
With the above additions, many draft pundits have the Bills looking at other positions in the draft, but one of the above position groups isn’t as set as it appears.
I am of course talking about the cornerbacks. While Norman is poised for a bounce-back season in a system more suited to his strengths and Gaines had arguably his best season as a pro in 2017 with the Bills, they are more bandages than long-term answers.
Norman and Gaines both signed one-year deals, while returning starter Levi Wallace signed his exclusive rights contract. By this time next year, all three could be gone as free agemts, which is why CB is more of a need than meets the eye.
Buffalo is obviously set at one corner position with Tre’Davious White (who still needs an extension) and should take advantage of the veterans on one-year deals. By taking a corner (or two) in the draft, the Bills could bring them along slowly, as opposed to having to throw them right into the proverbial fire that is NFL games. Letting the rookies learn behind the veterans and play as needed would be a move for the long term—something general manager Brandon Beane has done well in his three years at One Bills Drive.
Some possible targets for Buffalo on Day 2 and 3 of the draft are: A.J. Terrell (Clemson, and forget the end of last season with him), Damon Arnette (Ohio State), Josiah Scott (Michigan State) and A.J. Green (Oklahoma State)