Now, cornerback isn't a position the Buffalo Bills desperately need, but there are questions. Those questions need answering, and the 2026 NFL Draft is certainly a place to do it. With Maxwell Hairston's rookie season plagued by injury and uncertainty, doubling down at a premium position is a wise investment.
If Hairston isn't the answer, they have an alternative; If Hairston works out, they have another premium rookie to go up against Christian Benford for the other corner spot. In the modern NFL, one can never have too many corners, and the Buffalo Bills have been cursed by the injury bug too many times to count. Perhaps, on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft, they finally solve this issue.
With top prospects Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy likely off the board by pick #26, the Bills still have plenty of options. Though some, such as Brandon Cisse, might not be fits, here are the others.
Cornerback prospects who would be great fits for Bills
Avieon Terrell - Clemson
Height: 5-11 Weight: 186lbs
The probable best pure cornerback available at pick #26, Avieon Terrell is a good pick. He's versatile, capable of playing inside or outside despite his size. A solid insurance policy in case any of the three current starters fail to succeed. He forces the ball out often, and closes quickly when the quarterback's arm gets going.
He doesn't have a lot of weaknesses, but he can find himself outmuscled by larger players, many of whom could beat him to the catch point. He can play it safe going deep, and give up small gains as a result, but his balance as a player is spectacular.
Colton Hood - Tennessee
Height: 6-0 Weight: 193lbs
If Terrell isn't your style, perhaps Colton Hood is the answer. The Tennessee product plays a physical game; an exceptionally physical game. He makes great contact, playing well in close coverage and especially so at the catch point. Hood is as disruptive as any player in this draft. He stops the run with power and stops leaner receivers in their tracks.
Unfortunately, he's more reactive than proactive. He can lose sight of the ball, overly focused on his man and not the play around him. His speed can be slow and he's laggy when running in space. Still, there's a gunshot-style player who can blow up any play, and Colton Hood available at #26.
Chris Johnson - San Diego State
Height: 6-0 Weight: 193lbs
Another player of the same exact build, but different. Where Colton Hood is a powerhouse, Chris Johnson is understated. His coverage isn't physical, but undoubtedly clean. He wins with elite footwork, some of the best in the class, and it makes for sticky coverage. There's little to be said about other aspects of his game due to how precise and consistent his footwork is. When the play is done, he's a finishing tackler who doesn't miss much.
His motor can tap out late in plays. When Chris Johnson's taken out he stays out. When he's off his man, he doesn't bolt down and close in with speed. He won't knock his man off his route either, but he still brings a lot of value.
D'Angelo Ponds
Height: 5-9 Weight: 182lbs
Where other players will be directly competing for the starting spots, D'Angelo Ponds solves many issues at once for the Bills. He's a natural fit for zone coverage, with a quick trigger to get to the ball in the run game and after the catch. He offers great speed, and the ability to contribute as a special teamer from Week 1 if he fails top establish a starting role as a rookie.
The issue is largely about his size as a player. There are natural downsides to being 5-9 in a sport like football. His lack of length will impact coverage, and his lack of mass will hurt his tackling. Still, if the Bills need corners who can do anything, D'Angelo Ponds is the one.
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