Tag: Brandon Codrington

Bills’ Brandon Codrington proving to be a weapon in return game

Bills’ Brandon Codrington proving to be a weapon in return game

The Buffalo Bills made a trade at the end of August, sending a sixth-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for Brandon Codrington. Although it’s rare to trade in the division, the Bills needed immediate help with kick and punt returns.

So far, the undrafted rookie out of NC Central has delivered.

On only four touches on special teams through three weeks, he has one kick return for 53 yards and punt returns of 22 yards and 19 yards. Pro Football Focus has Codrington as the fifth-best return man in the league, with a return grade of 69.3.

Not only is the 23-year-old cornerback racking up return yards but he’s making smart decisions. Head coach Sean McDermott was asked how Codrington has handled things so far on special teams, and McDermott sounded confident.

“For a rookie to make those plays… I thought the decision-making was really good in those moments because one, in particular, was not an easy decision to make, especially for a rookie. And I believe that comes from his work leading up to the game.”

In his three-year career at NC Central, Codrington racked up a combined 1,365 yards between kick and punt returns. He averaged 18.2 yards per kick return and 14.2 yards per punt return. He scored three punt return touchdowns.

Bills marked roster cut-down day with a rare trade with the Jets

#Bills marked roster cut-down day with a rare trade with the #Jets:

Because of a rare move, Brandon Codrington is now a member of the Buffalo Bills.

As the Bills and rest of the NFL cut down their rosters from around 90 to 53 total players this week, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane tossed a curveball in that mix: A trade within the AFC East.

The team officially announced that Codrington has been acquired via a trade with their AFC East rival. The last time the two clubs agreed to a deal was in 1987.

Codrington comes to the Bills listed as a defensive back but his bread and butter during his first preseason in the NFL has been as a returner. The rookie had a 63-yard kickoff return against the Carolina Panthers and totaled six punt returns for 89 yards.

Codrington’s entrance came as a surprise because most expected Daequan Hardy to earn Buffalo’s starting return man position. Instead, the Bills’ sixth-round pick at the 2024 NFL draft was cut and signed with the practice squad.

While a rookie himself, Codrington took a different path to western New York. It was one more similarly aligned with local legend Joe Andreesen.

Codrington was not drafted but he did earn a tryout this spring and he was signed to the Jets roster. Now after impressing, he ends up with the Bills via trade.

Bills Wire will continue to provide updates on all roster moves throughout the 2024 season.

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What young Jets player did Robert Saleh say seized his opportunity on Saturday?

Brandon Codrington gets a shoutout from New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh.

It was certainly a strong night for Brandon Codrington, as the New York Jets rookie impressed over the weekend. It was a very good performance on special teams for Codrington in the preseason win over the Carolina Panthers.

Codrington had a tackle in the game, but he had his biggest impact on the game was on special teams for the Jets. He had one kickoff return for 63 yards and two punt returns for 46 yards.

A multi-year starter at North Carolina Central, Codrington signed with the Jets as an undrafted rookie free agent. In the MEAC, Codrington was a standout on special teams, which is likely to be his pathway towards making the Jets roster.

Outside of his special teams contribution at North Carolina Central, Codrington was a first-team all-defense selection in the MEAC.

“He definitely seized his opportunities,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters after the game.

“I think he was the most productive. Set up a couple of scoring drives. But that’s what he’s here for. That’s why we brought him in, his punt returning and kick returning ability, and I thought he did a nice job today.”

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The Jets improved to 2-0 in preseason with their 15-12 win over the Panthers.

Watch as Brandon Codrington makes a statement with a big kick-off return

Brandon Codrington gets a big kickoff return for the Jets.

Brandon Codrington made a bit of a statement on Saturday night with a 63-yard kick-off return in the third quarter of the New York Jets preseason game at the Carolina Panthers.

A defensive back out of North Carolina Central who signed with the Jets as an undrafted rookie free agent, Codrington was a standout on special teams in the MEAC. It is his ability to make plays on special teams that likely can help him get a roster spot or potentially make the practice squad.

He is also a talented cornerback, having been named first-team all-defense in the MEAC as a senior last year.

Check out some nice work here from Codrington. This is a nice (and intriguing) blend of speed and wiggle to get out in the open field and then extend his return:

 

Codrington returned the ball to the Panthers’ 32-yard line.

Five plays later, Austin Seibert made a 38-yard field goal to give the Jets a 6-4 lead over the Panthers.