The Buffalo Bills kick off their 2022 campaign at Highmark stadium against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, August 13th. In the first of three preseason games, the Bills will get a chance to look at several players to get their first ever NFL action and also see some veterans show their skills and potentially win a roster spot.
It is hard to imagine Buffalo sending out any valuable starters onto the field for any meaningful snaps outside of a series or two so there should be ample opportunities for players to make some plays. Some of Buffalo’s players are in prime position to get closer to locking up a roster spot with solid performances, so here are three players I think could make some noise against the Colts.
Which Buffalo Bills could make noise against the Indianapolis Colts?
Christian Benford
The rookie cornerback out of Villanova was one of only twenty FCS players taken in the 2022 NFL Draft. Benford is a physical corner who stands 6’1″, 205 pounds making him easily one of the biggest defensive backs on the Bills. Benford led the entire FCS with 25 passes defended and hauled in seven of those as interceptions.
Benford has already received some strong praise from Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier.
Leslie Frazier says that he thought a lot of people in the league overlooked CB Christian Benford. #Bills were excited to land him and he’s been up to challenge in spring and summer.
— Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) August 2, 2022
“He has a certain maturity you like to see, and he doesn’t back down from any situation.”
The rookie sixth-round pick may have been overlooked by many of the league but also by Bills fans. The prize of the draft was Kaiir Elam out of Florida, who was expected to be Tre’Davious White’s long-term partner.
Although Elam has not had what I would call a “bad” camp, he has yet to instill confidence in many that he will be ready on Day One. This has allowed Benford to work with the first team in camp, which could become a regular sight in August. White’s return is still uncertain, so two cornerback jobs are up for grabs.
With a strong showing against the Colts, Benford could supplant himself more into the first-team conversation. While it is hard to be sure if he could obtain one of the starting positions, he seems to be putting himself in a prime position to make the gameday roster. Benford does not need to be a star against the Colts, but if he can show that he belongs, it may be enough to push him more into the first team picture for the following week’s preseason game.