5 most underrated players on the Buffalo Bills entering 2022

Dane Jackson

The final player who is probably one of the most underrated players on the Buffalo Bills is another who could be competing with a rookie for playing time. The Bills drafted Kaiir Elam in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and this sets up a potential training camp battle with veteran Dane Jackson.

The reason it is a potential battle has more to do with Tre’Davious White and whether or not he will be available to start the season. If he is not, then Dane Jackson and Kaiir Elam likely gets the start at cornerback but if White is ready for Week 1, then Jackson and Elam will compete for the starting spot opposite White.

While it seems that it might be a foregone conclusion that Elam is the starter, the way that Dane Jackson finished the season is enough to at least make it a discussion. The former seventh round pick became the starter in place of White and while it was clear the Bills desperately missed Tre’Davious White, this wasn’t necessarily a reflection of how Jackson played.

Dane Jackson is likely not going to reach the level of being a shut-down corner but as a second cornerback opposite someone like Tre’Davious White, he can be productive. In the six starts, Jackson had last season he had 27 total tackles and six passes defended while allowing 14 receptions on 30 targets but not a single touchdown.

In the end, Kaiir Elam probably wins the starting job but if at any point during the season Dane Jackson is needed to start, the coaching staff should be confident in him to come in and play well in this defense.