In only a few days of free agency, the Buffalo Bills have addressed a number of needs primarily along their defensive line with the addition of players like Von Miller, Tim Settle, DaQuan Jones, and Jordan Phillips. They have also added a starting guard in Rodger Saffold, as well as backup tight end in O.J. Howard and traded for Case Keenum to be their backup quarterback.
This really only leaves one glaring need left for the Buffalo Bills and that is in the secondary at cornerback. The team saw one of their starters from last year, Levi Wallace, leave in free agency and join the Pittsburgh Steelers.
They also have the uncertainty around Tre’Davious White and when he might be able to return from his ACL injury suffered last year. This is why it would make sense to go the veteran route at the position to have an experienced cornerback step in as the top corner in this defense until White is able to return.
These are four cornerbacks that the Buffalo Bills could look to add that are still available in free agency.
Buffalo Bills Free Agent Target: Stephon Gilmore
The Buffalo Bills have already brought back one former first round pick when they signed Shaq Lawson to a one-year deal. Maybe general manager Brandon Beane can do it again by bringing Stephon Gilmore back to Western New York?
From a financial standpoint this will certainly be tough because while Gilmore is 32-years old, he should still be able to command a sizable contract. This doesn’t necessarily fit what Beane said on Friday that the Bills are now shopping the ‘cheap aisle’, according to Matt Parrino.
After five seasons in Buffalo, Gilmore joined the New England Patriots in 2017 and played four seasons with the AFC East rival. He was one of the top cornerbacks in the league during that time and was a shutdown corner.
This past season, Gilmore started on the physically unable to perform list, and when he was about ready to return he was traded to the Carolina Panthers. In the end, this is a move that seems unlikely due to the contract Gilmore would likely command but there is no question this would be a great fit for this defense and address a major need.
Buffalo Bills Free Agent Target: Xavier Rhodes
Another veteran cornerback that could make sense is Xavier Rhodes, who spent the past two years with the Indianapolis Colts. Over the years, Rhodes has not been known to force many turnovers but does a solid job in coverage and in the past two years has allowed a completion percentage of only 56% on 142 targets.
Similar to Gilmore, Rhodes would not be a long-term answer at the position but that is not necessarily an issue as he fits the type of cornerbacks the Buffalo Bills have targeted in free agency. During the McDermott/Beane era, the Bills have added players like Vontae Davis, Kevin Johnson, and Josh Norman to compete for that number two spot opposite Tre’Davious White with varying degrees of success.
Last year, Rhodes agreed to a one-year, $4.77 million contract and this is the type of deal that the Buffalo Bills could likely look to sign Rhodes for and fit within their salary cap.
Buffalo Bills Free Agent Target: Mike Hughes
The next free agent is a former teammate of Xavier Rhodes in Mike Hughes. He was a first round pick by the Vikings and spent three seasons there before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs last offseason.
Hughes would play in 17 games while starting five, which is important to note because Hughes has dealt with a number of injuries and this was the first season in the NFL that he appeared in every regular season game. He would also appear in the playoffs and Buffalo Bills fans may recognize the name as he was the cornerback Gabriel Davis beat on his third touchdown of the AFC Divisional Round.
Gabriel Davis juked Mike Hughes out of his shoes pic.twitter.com/CwG6Klo3ow
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) January 24, 2022
Unlike Gilmore and Rhodes, Mike Hughes still has plenty of football in front of him at 25 years old and could be a longer solution at cornerback but that may not fit what Buffalo is looking for if they hope to draft a cornerback early in the NFL Draft next month.
Buffalo Bills Free Agent Target: Steven Nelson
Among the four players listed here, Steven Nelson is probably the one that makes the most sense for what the Buffalo Bills need. He is only 28 years old and is someone that Buffalo could view as a starter for a few seasons or as a bridge cornerback for this season.
Nelson has experience as a starter both in the regular season with 84 starts and the playoffs with six career starts as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, and recently the Philadephia Eagles.
Last offseason, Nelson took his time to decide where he would play football next and had generated plenty of interest. One of the teams that were interested at the time was the Buffalo Bills, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
If the Buffalo Bills were to sign Nelson he is a player that could step in for Tre’Davious White if he is not ready to play at the start of the season but move over and be a very good number two once White returns. It also doesn’t force the Bills’ hand at the NFL Draft in having to use one of their top picks at the position.
The addition of Steven Nelson would give Buffalo a starting cornerback and should be the final major piece they add in free agency.