The Buffalo Bills did plenty of adding to their cornerback position this offseason. But Bleacher Report isn’t optimistic about those moves.
B/R recently released every NFL team’s biggest remaining need with both the draft and the start of free agency well behind us. Cornerback is what the Bills were given.
Here’s why they’re not optimistic:
The Buffalo Bills defense ranked second in points allowed and third overall in 2019. It did not have many weaknesses, though Buffalo did lack a reliable starter opposite All-Pro Tre’Davious White. They added 2015 All-Pro Josh Norman in free agency, but given his recent level of play, Norman might not be the reliable starter Buffalo needs.
Norman fell out of favor with the Washington Redskins last season and was pulled from the starting lineup.
The Bills also didn’t add a cornerback during the draft until Round 7, where they took Pittsburgh’s Dane Jackson. Adding a free-agent corner like Dre Kirkpatrick, Logan Ryan or Aqib Talib would give Buffalo additional depth and an insurance policy for Norman.
Sure, we can say the Bills have a need at cornerback. But this “need” mirrors the “needs” Buffalo had heading into the draft.
After the Bills landed Stefon Diggs via trade with the Vikings, everyone was really hard-pressed to say the Bills had any spot to address on their roster.
There’s reason for concern with Norman. The Bills are hoping a return to Sean McDermott’s defense, one Norman played in before with the Panthers at an All-Pro level, will help him regain his form.
But even if Norman falters, the Bills have learned from prior mistakes. In addition to Norman, Buffalo added EJ Gaines again and re-signed Levi Wallace. That, plus Jackson, gives the Bills a pretty deep group.
But to B/R’s point, none of these guys behind White are likely to be long-term answers. Wallace could be, but based on the additions the Bills made this offseason, the team doesn’t think he’s a future solution next to White, even if he did flash some talents in the past.
With that in mind, adding a veteran free agent cornerback like B/R suggests wouldn’t make much sense. Now, the next year’s draft with a Day 1 or Day 2 pick? That makes complete sense.
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