Four Downs: What about cornerback for the Buffalo Bills in the 2020 NFL Draft?

With the 2020 NFL Draft completed, my coverage of the Buffalo Bills will be featured in a new segment called Four Downs. Each article will include my thoughts on four Bills-related items, ranging on a number of topics. I hope you enjoy this new series and welcome your feedback below.

What about cornerback?

The biggest surprise for me from the draft weekend was that the Bills did not draft a cornerback earlier than round seven (Dane Jackson out of Pittsburgh with pick 239). I was happy with the selections of defensive end A.J. Epenesa (Iowa) and running back Zack Moss (Utah), but had hoped the team would add a corner in rounds four or five. Levi Wallace, E.J. Gaines, and Josh Norman all have one-year deals with the Bills, leaving them without any options following the 2020 season. The CB2 competition will certainly be something to watch during training camp, and maybe one of these options emerges as a candidate for an extension.

The kicker competition

The Bills used pick 188 to select kicker Tyler Bass from Georgia Southern, immediately making the kicker battle something to watch throughout the preseason. I would not expect many Bills fans to have much of a scouting report on Bass leading up to the draft, but a quick Google search reveals some glowing reviews from this year’s Senior Bowl. Stephen Hauschka has some serious competition for the first time in his tenure with the Bills.

New WR reminds me of a former Bill

One of the newest members of the Bills, Isaiah Hodgins (Oregon), reminds me of a former Buffalo Bills receiver. In doing some research on Hodgins prior to the draft, his highlights immediately reminded me of David Nelson. The players have a similar build and measurables, and I immediately thought of Nelson when researching Hodgins. As a sixth-round pick he has no guarantee of making the roster, but I am curious to see if the sure-handed Hodgins can make an impact throughout training camp and the preseason.

No trades from general manager Brandon Beane

Another surprise this weekend was that Brandon Beane did not make a trade. Fans of the Bills are well aware of Beane’s propensity to move up in the draft, but he stuck with all seven picks that he had entering the weekend. As each round passed I expected the Bills to make a move up to select a targeted prospect, but the trades never came.

Share your thoughts and comments on the draft and the first installment of Four Downs in the comments section below.