If the Buffalo Bills miss out on that first group of cornerbacks, one player that could make sense in the second round, or possibly in a trade back scenario, is cornerback Kyler Gordon out of the University of Washington. Let’s take a closer look at the player and how he might fit if the Buffalo Bills were to draft him.
Measurables/Stats
Height: 5’11 1/2″
Weight: 194 pounds
Arms: 31″
Hands: 9 1/4″
Kyler Gordon played in 27 games over four seasons at Washington and had 97 total tackles, four tackles for a loss, two interceptions and 12 passes defended. The final season there was by far his best as he had 45 total tackles, two interceptions, and seven passes defended in 12 games.
NFL.com Scouting Report by Lance Zierlein
"Cornerback who comes with an elite, high-performance engine but a GPS still in the process of loading. Gordon’s dynamic athletic qualities will show up in testing, but more importantly, they are all over his tape. His blend of play strength and explosive burst affects the passing game from press, off-man and zone coverages. He plays with an alpha demeanor and hitting is definitely part of his overall package. Gordon lacks polish and needs to play with better route recognition and anticipation, but if those elements click, his ball production could be near the top of the league as one of the top playmakers in the game."
How Kyler Gordon fits with the Buffalo Bills
Kyler Gordon brings a lot of the same positives that Trent McDuffie might bring if the Buffalo Bills were to draft him. Both played in the same defense so have plenty of experience in zone coverage.
The difference is that McDuffie is more of a polished prospect and looks to have a better chance of starting immediately for whoever drafts him.
However, Gordon may have a higher ceiling as he looks to be the better athlete in comparison to McDuffie. This could end up being the better option for Buffalo as they do already have Tre’Davious White, which can help take some pressure off Gordon early in his career.
If the Buffalo Bills were to draft Gordon, he would be one player, alongside Dane Jackson, competing to replace Levi Wallace, who left in free agency and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As a number two cornerback, Kyler Gordon has a chance to really excel and with his experience in a zone defense, this could be a great fit for both player and team, especially if he is someone they can draft in the second round.