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Buffalo Bills position room preview: Cornerback

By Avery Duncan

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 17: Tre'Davious White #27 of the Buffalo Bills attempts to intercept the ball during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins on December 17, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 17: Tre'Davious White #27 of the Buffalo Bills attempts to intercept the ball during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins on December 17, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 31: E.J. Gaines #28 of the Buffalo Bills deflects the pass during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 31: E.J. Gaines #28 of the Buffalo Bills deflects the pass during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Free agency addition: E.J. Gaines

Welcome back E.J. Gaines, the Buffalo Bills missed you. A piece in the Sammy Watkins to Rams trade, Gaines returns to Buffalo after an unsuccessful stint in Cleveland. Though he may not be the starter he was when he left, Brandon Beane is undoubtedly happy that he reeled in a high-quality backup that should contend for the No. 2 job.

In 2017, Gaines’ lone season in Buffalo, the corner was a revelation for the team. In 11 games started, he reeled in an interception and tallied nine pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and 59 tackles. Pro Football Focus lauded this season, as he finished the year with an 80.6 coverage grade and 0.77 yards per coverage snap; good for 17th and ninth in the NFL, respectively.

But his outstanding 2017 season didn’t parlay into the big-contract he wished for. Gaines signed a one-year deal with the Browns then failed to make anything of it. He played just six games, started two, had an interception, three pass deflections, and 13 total tackles. PFF graded the season at 58.7 and left him unranked.

Now back in Buffalo, Gaines hopes to see the same success as in 2017. To do so, he’ll need to stay healthy. In just four seasons of play, he’s missed a total of 21 games — he missed five when on the Bills. Yet, he’s only 27 years old and has proven to be one of the better zone coverage cornerbacks in the NFL. He’ll likely start off the year as a backup with the upside to start either on the outside or inside.

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