If there was one unit for the Buffalo Bills that saw a good amount of changes this offseason, it was their secondary. Cornerback Taron Johnson was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, and guys like Taylor Rapp and Dane Jackson were released. In addition, Tre’Davious White’s contract expired, and he still remains unsigned.
While the subtractions were made, additions were also completed in both free agency and the NFL Draft. Buffalo’s first free agency move was signing cornerback Dee Alford to a three-year deal from the Atlanta Falcons. Then Brandon Beane signed safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone, while also bringing back Damar Hamlin on another one-year deal.
Then during the NFL Draft, the Bills drafted cornerbacks Davison Igbinosun and Toriano Pride Jr., while also getting a potential late-round gem in safety Jalon Kilgore. For as many subtractions there were, there were plenty of additions as well. Overall, the defense under Jim Leonhard will (and has already) look different this season.
Bills' secondary is must-see unit for fans in 2026
Since Leonhard was a safety himself back in his playing days, these current Bills defenders have a huge advantage. In addition, Leonhard has more of an aggressive approach that this unit has not been apart of for the last few years under Sean McDermott. They may not give up the big plays behind them, but they gave up little by little in front of them that eventually led into a scoring drive.
Even with all of the changes that the Bills' secondary went through this offseason, Pro Football Focus has the Bills' secondary ranked at No. 13 going into the season which is actually a solid placement considering the fact of the changes that occurred in the last couple of months.
"Christian Benford was tied for the highest PFF run-defense grade of any defensive back, but struggles in coverage dragged down his overall grade. Addition CJ Gardner-Johnson fortunately avoided a major injury when carted off in training camp and will team up with Cole Bishop, who allowed a passer rating of just 43.5 in coverage in Year 2. Maxwell Hairston remains a relative unknown at corner, having logged just 348 snaps in his rookie season." said PFF.com.
PFF puts pressure on Buffalo's secondary for 2026
While the run-defense for the Bills was atrocious last season, their pass-defense was among the best and with the return of players like Christian Benford and Cole Bishop, there is still stability with the new additions.
Gardner-Johnson is going to be bringing the intensity that the defense hasn’t had for a long time. Stone is a quality depth piece who has 13 interceptions over the last three seasons. Alford is the replacement for Johnson in the nickel, and he provides more of a man coverage than Johnson did.
Even though there was an overhaul in the secondary for Buffalo, there are still high expectations of them and Jim Leonhard. With the defense being a consistent problem in crucial moments, this unit will have to step up and bring a different look that fans haven’t seen in awhile.
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