Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie has been a popular player sent to the Buffalo Bills during early mock drafts this offseason.
Perhaps the Bills have been reading mocks because Buffalo talked with the defender at the recent 2022 NFL combine. McDuffie told reporters he met with the Bills via press conference at the event.
McDuffie to the Bills is a popular pick for several reasons. The clearest is his scheme fit.
Pro Football Focus calls McDuffie the “best zone cornerback” in the 2022 NFL draft. Since Sean McDermott has taken over as head coach in Buffalo, the Bills have run a primarily zone defense.
On top of that, McDuffie is versatile. He’s a defensive back that can play on the outside or in the slot. In a pinch, he can even line up at safety. PFF also praised McDuffie’s tackling ability.
Among the several that have mocked McDuffie to the Bills early this offseason is Mel Kiper Jr. ESPN’s NFL draft guru sent the cornerback to Buffalo is his first mock of the offseason.
While the Bills did have the NFL’s top pass defense in 2021, McDuffie or a cornerback could be on the table.
Buffalo has Levi Wallace as a pending free agent and McDuffie would solidify the Bills’ secondary across from Tre’Davious White, once White is back from his knee injury. Even if Wallace returns, Buffalo could stand to have a deeper depth chart.
In 2021, the junior had four tackles for loss, a sack, and six passes defended.
McDuffie did not have an interception last season, but he does have two in his college career along with three forced fumbles.
[lawrence-related id=98134,98130,98094]