With more offenses moving to spread systems, defenses must adjust. Slot corners are vital to stopping these offenses and the Buffalo Bills have a battle at that position.
This year’s training camp will be much different than previous years for the Buffalo Bills. There is a significant number of young players looking for playing time. McDermott and Beane are in year two of their “process” and they’re getting players that fit their system.
This will be known as the year of camp competition. There will be position battles, on both sides of the ball, that Bills fans should be paying attention to. I will be writing a series of articles, throughout the month of June, highlighting the four most important battles that will determine where the Bills land in the standings this upcoming year.
Upcoming articles:
(June 10th) Guard: Vladimir Ducasse, Ryan Groy, Wyatt Teller
(June 17th) Slot Wide Receiver: Andre Holmes, Jeremy Kerley, Ray-Ray McCloud, Austin Proehl
(June 24th) Quarterback: Josh Allen, AJ McCarron, Nathan Peterman
This article will be about the slot corner (nickel) position. With offenses moving to spread formations, defenses have to be able to match-up. The nickel position needs to be filled with a talented player that can move laterally with quickness and has the poise to not get fooled by double-moves.
Whoever ends up playing nickel will be surrounded by the best secondary in the league. The duo of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer will be roaming deep while Tre’Davious White and Vontae Davis secure the edges. All that talents means one thing: The nickel corner will be targeted plenty throughout the season.
Let’s look at the candidates.