NFL draft position preview: Depth at cornerback a need for Bills
The Buffalo Bills will absolutely add at least one more outside cornerback to the roster, although it remains to be seen whether that comes through the draft or veteran free
The Buffalo Bills likely feel good about their two projected starters at cornerback.
In Christian Benford and Maxwell Hairston, new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard has what should be a quality starting duo. Hairston, of course, has to prove that he can stay healthy after a rocky rookie season in that regard. Nevertheless, the team’s 2025 first-round draft pick played well when he was on the field, so it is reasonable to be encouraged about what he can do in his second season.
Benford, meanwhile, is a quiet leader for the Bills’ defense who has been a steal as a former sixth-round draft pick.
Together, their presence makes it unlikely the Bills would invest a first-round pick in a player at the position.
This year’s cornerback class can best be described as good, but not great. In each of the past two seasons, there have been three cornerbacks drafted in the first round, and there is a good chance that number will be matched later this week.
“It’s worth noting that this might be the fastest cornerback group, from top to bottom, that we’ve ever seen,” NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote.
Overall position rank: 6/10.
Bills view: Depth is an absolute necessity for the Bills at the position. Veteran Tre’Davious White, who played well in his reunion with the team last year, remains unsigned. Dorian Strong, a sixth-round draft pick in 2025 who showed promise, faces an uncertain future after a neck injury that has left his playing career in limbo. The Bills will absolutely add at least one more outside cornerback to the roster, although it remains to be seen whether that comes through the draft or veteran free agency.
“The depth at corner is lacking, but there are some very talented nickelbacks who will step into starting roles fairly quickly,” Zierlein wrote. The Bills don’t have a need at nickel cornerback after signing Dee Alford in free agency from the Falcons.
Bills' need ranking: 7/10.
Best in class
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane defends a pass during a game against Florida.
Gerald Herbert, Associated Press
Mansoor Delane, LSU: A first-team Associated Press All-American, first-team All-Southeastern Conference pick and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe award given to the nation’s best defensive back, Delane led the Tigers with 11 passes defended in starting 11 games. He also made 45 tackles and had two interceptions.
“I believe Mansoor Delane has star-caliber talent on tape, some in the league see him slightly below that,” Zierelin wrote.
Jermod McCoy, Tennessee: McCoy was a second-team AP All-American in 2024, but he missed all of the 2025 season because of a torn ACL. Despite that, he might still end up being a first-round draft pick. That speaks to his tape from the 2023 and 2024 seasons, as well as his physical tools, which are at the top of the class.
Colton Hood, Tennessee: One of the best tackling cornerbacks in the class, Hood is a press-man cover corner, first. He started 12 games for the Volunteers and had a pick-six as part of his eight passes defended during the 2025 season.
Avieon Terrell, Clemson: Terrell’s older brother, A.J., a fellow cornerback, was a first-round pick of the Falcons in 2020. An All-Athletic Coast Conference first-team pick, Avieon Terrell tied for third in the Football Bowl Subdivision with five forced fumbles in 2025, and tied for the team lead with nine passes defended.
D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana: He played on the perimeter for the national champion Hoosiers, but at just 5-foot-9, Ponds is destined to move inside to nickel cornerback at the next level. A second-team AP All-American, Ponds led the Hoosiers with 10 passes defended, and was named defensive MVP of both the Peach Bowl and Rose Bowl.
Intriguing
Tacario Davis, Washington: He played in just seven games in his only season with the Huskies because of rib and hamstring injuries, but Davis still had two interceptions. During three years at Arizona, he was named a second-team All-Big 12 pick. Davis’ size is what really stands out – he’s nearly 6-4, which is rare for the position. He has the wingspan to match, too, which leads to plenty of passes defended. Davis is projected to be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.
Sleeper
Andre Fuller, Toledo: A first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection, Fuller led Toledo with 11 passes defended in starting all 13 games. He finished with 49 tackles, 2½ tackles for loss and an interception. Fuller played his first two college seasons at Arkansas Pine-Bluff before transferring to Toledo. He missed all of the 2024 season following surgery for a core muscle injury.
Top 10
| Rank | Name | School | Ht. | Wt. |
| 1. | Mansoor Delane | LSU | 6-0 | 187 |
| 2. | Jermod McCoy | Tennessee | 6-1 | 188 |
| 3. | Colton Hood | Tennessee | 6-0 | 193 |
| 4. | Avieon Terrell | Clemson | 5-11 | 186 |
| 5. | Brandon Cisse | South Carolina | 6-0 | 189 |
| 6. | Keionte Scott | Miami (Fla.) | 5-11 | 193 |
| 7. | D'Angelo Ponds | Indiana | 5-9 | 182 |
| 8. | Chris Johnson | San Diego St. | 6-0 | 193 |
| 9. | Malik Muhammad | Texas | 6-0 | 182 |
| 10. | Keith Abney II | Arizona State | 5-10 | 187 |