Buffalo Bills: 53-man roster prediction after final preseason game
By Joe Cook
Cornerback (6)
Tre'Davious White, Taron Johnson, Christian Benford, Dane Jackson, Kaiir Elam, Siran Neal
Tre'Davious White will now enter his first full year back from an ACL tear. He has looked good this summer battling Diggs and Davis in camp. It would be huge for the Bills if White can get back to top-five status. Opposite of White was a battle all summer long and still doesn’t have a starter named.
Dane Jackson is the veteran who knows the system well and is solid. He appeared to be in the lead, but Benford had another excellent camp and was outstanding against the Bears, in which he actually got the start. Coming away from that game, it seems like Benford is the guy opposite of white.
It’s a tough pill to swallow, but last year’s first-round pick, Kaiir Elam, is having trouble getting on the field. Elam is third in the cornerback two competition and didn’t get reps in the third preseason game until halfway through the second quarter.
Elam is a man-coverage corner, but the Bills run heavy zone schemes. Cornerback is the deepest position on this Bills team. Siran Neal looked great against the Bears, making numerous plays. He also remains one of the best special teams gunners in the league.
Safety (4)
Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Damar Hamlin, Taylor Rapp
The Bills will have their All-Pro safety duo back for the first time since week two of last year. The Bills will have the back end of their defense solidified once again. Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp have been the second-team safeties all preseason. Rapp looked great against the Bears, making plays all over the field. He will likely get some special package defensive snaps as well.