Bills DC gives crucial update on first-round pick ahead of NFL Kickoff
The Buffalo Bills starting lineup on defense is not quite set yet. Three days apart from the NFL Kickoff game between the redemption-seeking Bills and the championship-defending L.A. Rams, there's one more decision Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier needs to make. With Dane Jackson manning the outside cornerback role and Taron Johnson defending the slot, who […]
The Buffalo Bills starting lineup on defense is not quite set yet. Three days apart from the NFL Kickoff game between the redemption-seeking Bills and the championship-defending L.A. Rams, there's one more decision Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier needs to make.
With Dane Jackson manning the outside cornerback role and Taron Johnson defending the slot, who starts at cornerback on the other side? The decision comes down to two rookies. First-round pick Kaiir Elam and surprise sixth-round standout Christian Benford.
"We're still going through the process with them," said Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier on Monday. "We'll mix it up in the ball game and see how things are doing as the game goes on."
Chances are the Bills already know who's getting the start on Thursday night. And if there's one thing we've learned about Buffalo's coaching staff is that the decision will be made based on merit and not on draft status.
Back in April, Elam was expected to rise as the team's CB2 at some point in the season. Fast forward a few months, and Benford has inserted himself in that conversation with a strong camp and preseason.
The Bills will likely give both corners a lot of looks and let them show their skill sets in multiple defensive schemes. It won't be an easy challenge against an explosive Rams offense that does a great job of putting its receivers in favorable situations.
How much Frazier rotates his young cornerbacks will be a storyline to watch on Thursday night. But more importantly, it will be paramount to monitor in what situations he does so.
One thing appears certain, though. Jackson is locked in as a starter and a leader in the secondary.
"Dane has been trusted into a leadership role probably sooner than he would've imagined," said the Bills DC. "He's been the one who's had to step up and continue to encourage both of our young corners and he's done that. That has a lot to do with the chemistry among the three of them."
Whichever rookie gets the start on Thursday will be doing so alongside a loaded secondary that also includes an elite duo at safety. A good supporting cast should give the Bills confidence in giving them both playing time.
Featured image via Shawn Dowd / USA TODAY NETWORK
