Unique journey for Qwan'Tez Stiggers could lead him to the Buffalo Bills
Cornerback prospect Qwan'Tez Stiggers took an unusual approach to get to the NFL Draft. Stiggers enrolled at Lane College to begin his college career but left the program after his father died. Of course, Stiggers still loved the game, and it took his mother telling him to try out for the Fan Controlled Football League for him to resume his football career in 2022.
After excelling in their short season, Stiggers went across the border to play for the Toronto Argonauts. In Toronto, Stiggers was named their Rookie of the Year after notching five INTs and 53 tackles, according to the league's official site. But can someone who has never played college football have an NFL career, and with the Buffalo Bills?
The Bills had a Top 30 visit with Stiggers as Aaron Wilson reported. Stiggers is projected to be a Day 3 draft pick, with many projecting him to go in the fifth round. Buffalo owns three fifth round draft picks, and their cornerback depth is a big issue heading into draft weekend. The CFL's website lists Stiggers at 6'0 197 lbs, and he ran a 4.45 40 at his own Pro Day.
Stiggers is widely viewed as a zone corner rather than playing press man, and after how Kaiir Elam's experiment went, I wouldn't expect them to draft another man corner. Stiggers has elite level traits that can make him a good corner in this league, he just doesn't have the experience that these other prospects have.
That can come with time, and he should be able to develop on the backend of the roster playing Special Teams. Brandon Beane seems to find quality talent, with Dane Jackson and Levi Wallace being prime examples there.
The Bills don't need him to start day one. With their projected starters being Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford, along with Kaiir Elam and Ja'Marcus Ingram having starting experience, letting Stiggers sit for a little while will do him wonders.
Stiggers seems to be the classic Brandon Beane late Day 3 pick. Great traits that a team can build on, wants to be the best he can be, and is a great person off the field. All of those matter to Buffalo no matter what, but if a player is available in the later rounds who possesses great qualities such as his, Beane isn't going to pass that up.
There's a good chance that they take a cornerback early in the draft, and double dip if Stiggers is still available with one of their eight Day 3 picks. Being deep at the cornerback position is important to the Bills, from injury concerns to the coaching staff rotating multiple corners throughout the game.
If Stiggers becomes a Bill, he'll have a legitimate shot at making the roster. After Elam and Ingram, the Bills don't have a lot of depth at corner. They'll add to that depth anywhere they can get it from.