Tag: Tre’Davious White

The NFL’s top 12 outside cornerbacks

Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield continues our position lists with the best outside cornerbacks in the NFL today.

There are countless things to do in sports that are difficult.

Hitting a baseball is certainly one of them, as I have been reminding my players all summer long.

Another? Playing cornerback in the NFL. You have some of the world’s best athletes sprinting towards you, trying to juke you out of your cleats. And you are expected to match them stride-for-stride? Sure. And heaven forbid you many any sort of contact with them, otherwise you’ll see more yellow than Heinz Field during a Pittsburgh Steelers game.

Despite the odds, there are some incredible cornerbacks in the game today. Here is a look at the best outside cornerbacks in the NFL today, and our other position lists to date.

The NFL’s top 13 safeties

The NFL’s top 12 slot defenders

Micah Hyde: ‘I’ll put every single penny’ on Tre’Davious White coming back even better

Micah Hyde: ‘I’ll put every single penny’ on Tre’Davious White coming back even better:

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Throughout the offseason the Buffalo Bills have rolled out the easy answers when it comes to Tre’Davious White’s rehab.

White, Buffalo’s lockdown No. 1 cornerback, suffered a knee injury on Thanksgiving last season. The ACL tear could keep him out through the start of next year and that’s well known by many because of the nature of the injury.

In the mean time we’ve gotten generic responses on White. Head coach Sean McDermott often notes how White is working hard and comes into the team facility all the time for rehab.

Good to know, but nothing juicy (as we’re used to).

But Bills safety Micah Hyde at least provided us with a glowing update.

During minicamp, Hyde said White’s been working, yes, but the extent of that might be unmatched in his eyes.

Hyde would even bet on it.

“I don’t think anybody understands what he’s been doing in the dark. That boy–he’s been working. I’ve been fortunate enough to see some of the stuff he’s been doing. He’s working. He’s working his a– off. I know I’ll put every single penny I have on Tre’Davious coming back a better player,” Hyde said via video conference. “I’m that confident in him.”

That should be music to the Bills and everyone’s ears in Buffalo. White has grown into one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL and he backstopped the Bills’ No. 1 pass defense last season.

To help keep the ball rolling in that direction, Buffalo used a first-round pick on cornerback Kaiir Elam to cement their top-tier secondary.

And even though White isn’t yet on the field with Elam, the rookie has said White has been helping him off the field as much as he can. Elam even said White was doing so before they were even teammates.

“Honestly, he just told me how much he watched my game and how he liked the way I played,” Elam said. I’m super happy I got to meet him because he seemed like a super laid-back guy, super knowledgeable, and a guy who I feel like I could just go and try to learn from.”

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Micah Hyde: Bills’ Kaiir Elam reminds him of Tre’Davious White as a rookie

Micah Hyde: #Bills’ Kaiir Elam reminds him of Tre’Davious White as a rookie:

Kaiir Elam hasn’t yet taken the field for an exhibition game in the preseason, nevermind a regular season contest.

Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde is still already impressed with the rookie cornerback.

And truthfully, it doesn’t even have much to do with his play.

Certainly that’ll leave an impression, but where Hyde sees a promising sign in Elam is somewhere the trail was blazed ahead of him back in 2017.

That season was Hyde’s first in Buffalo. But he was a veteran at that point having started his career with the Green Bay Packers. The 2017 season was also cornerback Tre’Davious White’s first in Buffalo–but it was the first of his NFL career.

As a rookie, Hyde said White was always eager to learn and improve. Elam has that same mindset, according to Hyde.

“You can already tell he listens. He pays attention,” Hyde said via video conference. “You can tell as I’m saying stuff he’s taking mental notes. That’s how Tre’Davious was when he first got here. He was battling on the football field which is what Kaiir is doing, but also just learning from his mistakes and learning from the older guys.”

Soon after coming to the Bills via Buffalo’s first-round pick at the 2022 NFL draft, the story of Elam’s notebook caught wind. Upon having a pre-draft visit with the Bills, Elam brought his notebook that he kept every last detail in from his college game days at Florida.

That impressed Buffalo enough for them to use their top pick on him. Elam has evidently brought this trait to Orchard Park with him in Hyde’s mind.

Head coach Sean McDermott did tap the brakes on Elam’s early growth, though. According to the coach, the rookie cornerback has had some adjusting to do in practices.

“He’s been going through the normal rookie growing pains. You have a good play, how do you follow it up with another good play? You have a bad play, how do you reset and come back with a good play? Some of it is mental as much as anything,” McDermott said via video conference.

On the plus side, McDermott, Hyde, Elam and everyone will agree on one thing.

It’s better to get that out of the way now before the season starts.

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Sean McDermott on Bills CB Dane Jackson: ‘Dane’s a winner’

Sean McDermott on #Bills CB Dane Jackson: ‘Dane’s a winner’

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There has been some buzz around the cornerback group for the Buffalo Bills this offseason. 

From the addition of CB Kair Elam from Florida in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft to the play of Dane Jackson in the absence of injured pro-bowler Tre White, the corner position has been one of interest.

While the team and fans await White’s return, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott threw his support behind the player filling in for him at OTA workouts this week.

That being Dane Jackson, of course.

“Dane’s a winner”, McDermott said while addressing the press.

“He is committed. He’s one of the first ones here every morning, one of the last to leave. Comes in on his own, even on the weekends at times, and he’s a true pro.”

Questions had surrounded the cornerback position since last season, from who would fill in during White’s recovery to who would replace former starter and departed free agent Levi Wallace.

The Bills have answered them, whether it’s been Jackson’s play on the field or the addition of Elam.

And while he’s expressed his confidence in him before, McDermott isn’t the only one commending Jackson for his play and work ethic.

DC Leslie Frazier sang his praises during OTA’s as well, calling the CB’s gameplay experience last season “tremendously valuable” during his latest press conference.

“He played a lot of snaps for us”, Frazier added. “Really held his own, the moments never seemed too big for him. One of the best tackling young corners that’s in the league”.

That is high praise from Jackson’s coaches, and affirmation of the young CB himself as well as to the fans who’ve wondered if the team would look to add talent to White’s position until he returns.

With Jackson performing well as the next-man-up, there is reason for optimism that he’ll be able to hold down the fort at the corner while White returns and continue to contribute in rotations with the position group.

That type of youth and depth is valuable, especially in providing the team with competition and performance on the field against opponents, and also in helping to not only fill in for White but to help share the workload as he eventually transitions back to gameplay.

Jackson held his own last season and is continuing to earn the praises of the Bills coaching staff, which is both a testament to the team’s scouting and player development as well as to his work ethic.

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PFF names Bills’ top-three players heading into 2022

Who do you got on your #Bills list?

To their credit, it’s a tough undertaking. Pro Football Focus decided to name every NFL teams’ top-three players.

The Buffalo Bills have one of the most-talented rosters heading into the 2022 season.

For some that’s much easier than the task with Buffalo, but the football analytics out took a swing at it anyway.

The trio selected was quarterback Josh Allen, wide receiver Stefon Diggs–and the debated third one–cornerback Tre’Davious White.

First, here’s PFF’s breakdown:

The only two quarterback-wide receiver duos with more first down conversions than Allen and Diggs over the last two seasons (139) are Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams and Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce. Diggs and Allen are certainly in the conversation for the league’s best duo.

The final spot was more difficult to narrow down to just one of Buffalo’s stars on defense. White got the nod as one of the stingiest CB1s in the league over the past five years, as his 65.5 passer rating allowed since 2017 ranks second among all cornerbacks with at least 100 targets.

In naming such a group of triplets, most would pretty quickly land on Allen and Diggs. Their connection alone has elevated the Bills offense to new heights in recent years.

The tougher task is finding one player from defense. White is a strong choice, especially considering his longevity in helping turn around Buffalo’s defense.

The hope now turns to White’s ability to rebound from the knee injury he suffered last season.

In recognizing that the “final spot was more difficult” to name, PFF did give some honorable mentions. Those included both safeties, Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, plus All-Pro pass rusher and recent signee of the Bills, Von Miller.

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Bills’ Tre’Davious White ranked eighth-best outside CB by PFF

#Bills’ Tre’Davious White ranked eighth-best outside CB by PFF:

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Pro Football Focus named Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White as the eighth-best outside cornerback in the NFL in their position-by-position rankings.

While there are seven listed ahead of White, there is good news. The Bills defensive back still lands under the category of a Tier 1 cornerback.

Not all bad right there.

First, here’s the breakdown on White’s game from the football analytics outlet:

White is eying a bounce-back 2022 season after tearing his ACL during Buffalo’s Week 12 Thanksgiving game in 2021. Before his injury, the 5-foot-11, 192-pounder had been nothing but stingy in coverage. He ranks third among qualifying cornerbacks in yards per coverage snap allowed since entering the NFL in 2017 (0.87). White can get overly physical from time to time, but he consistently stays glued to his opposition and doesn’t often let up freebies.

Not only does White land in PFF’s highest level of cornerback, he passes the eye test for everyone in Buffalo. He’s a top defender in the NFL, but we’re basing all that on the past.

The future is now the most important thing.

White has been putting in the work all offseason to return from his knee injury. The Bills are still going to be on pins and needles until White makes his first cuts on his surgically repaired ACL.

Even if White does return and avoids future injury, is he still playing at the same levels as he was before the initial one? We won’t know until we see it happen but everyone in western New York will hope for the best.

For those curious, here’s who ranked ahead of White. He’s in good company:

  • 7. Xavien Howard (Dolphins)
  • 6. Darius Slay (Eagles)
  • 5. Marshon Lattimore (Saints)
  • 4. JC Jackson (Chargers)
  • 3. AJ Terrell (Falcons)
  • 2. Jaire Alexander (Packers)
  • 1. Jalen Ramsey (Rams)

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Full list of Bills players not participating in OTAs

Full list of #Bills players not participating in OTAs:

The Buffalo Bills hit the field again for another slate of organized team activates (OTAs). While observers of the team will appreciate full attendance, that’s usually not the case.

Some players decide not to show up… and it’s important to note that doing so is OK. All such workouts prior to mandatory minicamp are voluntary. No penalty for missing them.

The reasonings for being elsewhere usually vary. Sometimes it’s health or contract related, others players are excused to do whatever else they desire.

But for those curious, here’s a rundown of players that were not attending OTA practice on Tuesday, according to The Athletic:

Dawson Knox, Spencer Brown miss Bills OTAs due to minor injuries

Sounds like some minor things worth noting on a few #Bills players:

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott beat around the bush in a big-time manner when discussing some injury updates from the team’s voluntary offseason works on Tuesday.

What was taken from the vague comments were two names: Dawson Knox and Spencer Brown.

McDermott said the tight end and offensive lineman, respectively, were not practicing with the team this week due to injuries.

However, he did add that both were not considered serious and they should be back by the time more important practices take place during training camp.

“Some nags here and there. Some soft tissue things with some guys. Dawson’s got a little something going on. Spencer Brown’s got a little something going on that he had a procedure on,” McDermott said via video conference. “It’s going to work itself out, that’s what I’m being told, for training camp.”

In addition to Knox and Brown, McDermott gave another light update on the status of cornerback Tre’Davious White.

“He’s on schedule,” McDermott said. “I’ve been very impressed by his work ethic.”

While perhaps the coach could be a bit more direct on Knox and Brown, it makes sense for him to be distanced on White’s update.

A player coming back from such a tough knee injury needs time to heal and rehab and should not be pressured to get back on the field too early. That’s the exact approach McDermott is likely taking.

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PFF: Bills’ Tre’Davious White among NFL’s best since 2018

PFF: #Bills’ Tre’Davious White among NFL’s best since 2018 (and then some):

Pro Football Focus has Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White in some very good company.

The football analytics outlet routinely records their grades and fancy stats for every player in the NFL. Regarding defensive backs, a big one is passer rating allowed.

That’s where White looks very good in PFF’s eyes.

In terms of that statistic, White has been the fourth-best corner in the league since 2018:

White’s basic numbers speak volumes about his talents, he has earned All-Pro honors after all.

But using PFF’s own statistics in the past, White has been among the NFL’s best cornerbacks for his entire career.

White was Buffalo’s first-round pick in 2017. The grouping listed by PFF only goes back to 2018.

But as a rookie in 2017, White was held in high regard as well… by none other than PFF. For White’s efforts as a rookie, he was named to PFF’s all-time rookie team.

White hasn’t missed a beat in PFF’s eyes.

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Buffalo Bills 53-man roster projection ahead of rookie minicamp

#Bills 53-man roster projection ahead of rookie minicamp:

The 2022 Buffalo Bills are back–well not exactly.

But the team’s newest faces, their rookies, will hit the field for the first time in a Bills logo.

On Friday, Buffalo hosts their rookie minicamp which will roll through the weekend. Rookies will then join vets come May 23 when voluntary OTA workouts resume.

All of those… aren’t much real football. But we’re not going to let that ruin our fun.

Here is Bills Wire’s early 53-man roster projection ahead of rookie minicamp: