The Buffalo Bills continue to face difficulties in fortifying their cornerback roster as they head into the 2025 NFL season. With the recent trade of 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam to the Dallas Cowboys, the Bills find themselves in search of reliable options to bolster their secondary. This comes after a challenging few years where injury issues and disappointing performances have left the team in a precarious position at cornerback.
As of March 18, 2025, cornerback remains a significant concern for the Bills. The team is thin at this position, with Christian Benford and Taron Johnson being the only notable starters, in addition to Dane Jackson, who returned after an unimpressive stint in Carolina last season. Jackson’s return to Buffalo, while adding depth, has raised questions about whether he can effectively fill the cornerback role after a rough year where he surrendered a passer rating of 123.6 when targeted. Both Benford and Johnson have solidified their roles—Benford gaining notoriety as one of the best cornerbacks in the league, even receiving multiple All-Pro votes and earning a spot on a Defensive Player of the Year ballot.
General Manager Brandon Beane has worked diligently to address the team's weaknesses in the offseason, re-signing key players and bringing in several new faces. Notably, Beane re-signed Reid Ferguson, Ty Johnson, Reggie Gilliam, and Damar Hamlin while also acquiring notable players including Joey Bosa, Joshua Palmer, and others to strengthen the squad. Josh Allen received a record-breaking extension, reflecting the team’s commitment to its core players.
Despite these moves, Beane acknowledges cornerback as an area still in need of attention. With Elam’s departure, the Bills need to explore available options, either through free agency or in the upcoming NFL Draft, due to the volatile nature of the position. Key free agents like Rasul Douglas remain on the market, awaiting potential offers, while veteran options such as Asante Samuel Jr. have been mooted for a possible landing in Buffalo. Samuel’s market value of around $11.5 million per year makes him an intriguing option if the team can maneuver its salary cap to accommodate his contract.
Beane underscored the necessity for improvement, saying, “We’ve been able to get some done, and you know that we love Christian [Benford]. Excited he’ll be back this season and we’ll see if it works out now, later, down the road, to keep him here.” However, with the cornerback market increasing significantly—evidenced by Derek Stingley's recent extension with the Texans, which averages $30 million annually—Benford's potential extension is likely to be a costly endeavor for the Bills.
Looking ahead, the Bills have their eyes on several rookie prospects in the draft, including Shavon Revel, Jahdae Barron, and Maxwell Hairston, who have been mocked to Buffalo at the 30th pick. Beane has indicated the team will not hesitate to draft players who fit their needs, saying, “We’ll evaluate what they do well... and if there’s a guy in free agency or a guy in the draft that we think fits what we need in Buffalo, we wouldn’t hesitate to sign or draft.”
Adding layers to the complexity of roster decisions, the Bills have seen players like Kaiir Elam voice frustrations after his trade. Elam lamented, “I was always put in the back seat” during his time in Buffalo, suggesting he felt undervalued despite being a first-round talent. After being traded, he expressed hope for a fresh start in Dallas, indicating a desire for opportunities missed in Buffalo.
Ultimately, the time frame leading into the NFL Draft at the end of April will be crucial for the Bills to solidify their cornerback position. The clock is ticking as they look to strengthen their defense and remain competitive in the evolving landscape of the NFL. The need for talent infusion is evident, and as offseason moves culminate, the Bills must act decisively to ensure they are well-equipped as they head into the new season.
As fans anxiously await how the Bills will address their cornerback conundrum, all eyes will be on Beane’s next moves—whether they result in a strategic draft pick, a seasoned vet signing, or both. With the competitive nature of today’s NFL, time will tell if the Bills can emerge from their cornerback quandary stronger than before as they prepare for the 2025 season.
