Buffalo Bills: Ranking the cornerbacks of the AFC East
By Rob Spehar
The Buffalo Bills have one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL but is it enough to claim the top spot in the AFC East?
The cornerback position is by far one of the most difficult to play, especially with how well the wide receiver position has developed. Achieving an elite defense, something the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills had last year, is something that most general managers strive for.
It is no easy task and the secondary is one of the most difficult units to keep producing on a consistent basis. There are many factors that can change a game or even a season when trying to defend the pass. Injuries, miscommunication, poor technique and missed coverage assignments can all spell disaster for a team when they are trying to establish something.
Today’s NFL is rapidly evolving into a pass happy league and teams are scrambling to keep up with the times. It takes some special game planning to keep up with the likes of Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees, and what looks to be a rejuvenated passing game with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. There are definitely some elite secondaries throughout the league and you can look to the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, and the San Francisco 49ers to be a part of that short list. Pass rushers get the spotlight nowadays, but its the guys on the backend that make it imperative to shut down the passing game.
The AFC East seems to be the best division for cornerback groups right now. There have been some big moves made in the offseason and some serious money that was thrown around to turn a weakness into a solid strength. Names like Tre’Davious White, Byron Jones, and Stephon Gilmore instantly pop out at you and their supporting cast only makes them better. These are the elite in what is becoming a vastly different division.
This list ranks the projected starters in the division with the help of the depth charts at Ourlads.com and their current situation regarding the depth on their respective rosters. So here are the rankings for the cornerbacks of the AFC East.