The roster deadline is this Sunday, and the Buffalo Bills will have to make some important decisions very soon. With Joe Brady making the selections this season as their new head coach, he wants to keep players who fit his "put the ball down" mentality.
As for special teams coordinator Jeff Rogers, it will be his first time making tough decisions, too; he will be responsible for determining their kick and punt returners. Let's take a look at one surprise corner back who is turning heads and could be that player returning punts.
Could CB Dee Alford be returning punts?
It hasn't been since 2023 that Dee Alford last returned punts in an NFL game. Recently, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound athlete was asked to return kicks and punts this year to demonstrate his versatility beyond being a nickel and boundary corner.
The Bills haven't locked down their punt returner yet, as they have other players, including Ray Davis and Mecole Hardman Jr., interested.
Alford's talent demonstrates that he can cover more than one position at a time, however, with roster spots at a premium, the team would rather keep a player who only contributes on punts returns.
What Bills' defense expects out of Alford?
During Sean McDermott's tenure, the Bills maintained four boundary corners who acted like linebackers in coverage; Joe Brady's Bills will most likely keep three boundary corners who will stay home and make the big plays. The Bills signed Alford, knowing he played that role in Atlanta's 3-4 defense under then-head coach Raheim Morris and current defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
Whatever role they expect Alford to play, he will be prepared, as the Bills want a new scheme and toughness on defense under defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Leonhard likes to go deep into his playbook and use his boundary corners on surprise blitzes, particularly on third-and-long.
How Jim Leonhard's defense is similar to Jeff Ulbrich's in Atlanta
For Alford, the transition from Atlanta's 3-4 scheme to Buffalo's should be smooth sailing. Barring any unfortunate injury situations, the talented corner will be used to create sacks on the quarterbacks and also create more turnovers on a Bills defense that last year wasn't so opportunistic during key moments of the playoffs.
This year, Alford joins a 3-4 scheme led by talented power edge rushers such as Greg Rousseau, and Bradley Chubb. Rookie T.J. Parker will be added to the mix as a depth edge rusher and may earn more reps as the season goes on.
Overall, both schemes are similar, but Buffalo's may be better this year, as the team is better constructed than Atlanta's defense was in 2025, particularly at pass rush. This should inspire confidence about Buffalo's prospects, mostly with the pass rushers.
Only time will tell how Alford fares, and if he makes the 53-man roster, it means his signing was meant to be.
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