Free agent cornerbacks who could play for the Bills in 2021

[zanthrax54 9,187]

Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

These are the potential starters if Levi Wallace isn’t retained.

The Buffalo Bills have a big decision to make with their cornerbacks. Tre’Davious White is a star, but Josh Norman is an unrestricted free agent, and Levi Wallace, a restricted free agent. Do the Bills bring back either player? Do they look to the market for an upgrade, or a cheap veteran? There are several potential starters from this year’s cornerback free-agent class—let’s take a look...

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Xavier Rhodes

Rhodes has had some whiplash in his career. The first-round pick grew into a trusted starter with the Minnesota Vikings, was selected to two consecutive Pro Bowls (and an All-Pro team in 2017), then signed a five year, $70 million contract. Less than two years later, he was released, having been one of the league’s worst starting cornerbacks during that time.

He signed a contract for $3 million with the Colts, and rebounded into a good starter on one of the best defenses in the league. He only allowed 51.9 percent of passes to be completed against him, and an 84.5 passer rating when targeted, in his 16 starts. He’s probably due for a pay raise, but maybe not a dramatic one.

Richard Sherman

If the Bills are thinking about players who can help them “win now” and take them over the top, maybe the 33-year-old Sherman would be a fit.

A calf strain landed Sherman on injured reserve for most of the season this year, but in 2019 he was selected to the Pro Bowl. He’s a vocal leader in the clubhouse, and an intelligent, physical matchup cornerback even in the twilight of his career. Sherman just finished a three-year, $27 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He might be available for a short-term deal worth $7 or $8 million per year.

Bashaud Breeland

If you wanted to add some attitude to your secondary, you’d go out and get Breeland. He’ll commit his share of penalties for grabby hands, but that’s what makes him so effective in sticky man coverage. Bills fans will know this, having watched Breeland shut down Buffalo’s receivers in the AFC Championship game. Breeland turns 29 this year, and has 88 starts in seven career seasons.

Breeland has played on a handful of cheap one-year deals recently, like the $3 million contract he signed this year. He’ll probably be an affordable option should the Bills show interest.

Desmond King

King is sort of a Micah Hyde type (even coming from the same school), in that he can play safety as well as nickel cornerback or on the outside. He was an All-Pro selection in 2018, but played worse in 2019 and 2020, eventually being traded to the Tennessee Titans. He might be available on a one-year prove-it deal.

Troy Hill

The former undrafted free agent from Oregon has developed into an above-average starter for the Los Angeles Rams. He has eight interceptions and 23 passes defended in the last three years. 2020 was his first season as an every-down starter. Hill is coming off a two-year, $5.25 million contract extension—probably hoping to significantly boost his pay as he turns 30.

Quinton Dunbar

Injuries are a serious problem with Dunbar’s resume—he’s only appeared in 24 of a possible 48 games in the last three seasons. Still, he racked up seven interceptions and 22 passes defended in those games—basically the same counting stats as Hill above, but a much higher rate of production. At 6’2” and 200 lbs, Dunbar has enviable size for an outside cornerback.

Dunbar just finished a three-year, $5.7 million contract by playing six games for the Seattle Seahawks this past season. It’d be surprising if he signed a deal worth more than $3 or $5 million per year now.

Jason Verrett

If Alex Smith weren’t such a shoe-in for Comeback Player of the Year, Verrett would have a strong case. 2016: torn ACL. 2017: knee surgery. 2018: torn Achilles. 2019: ankle surgery. In 2020, Verrett started 13 games, which was more than the previous three years combined. With 60 tackles, two interceptions, and seven passes defended, he was a reliable part of San Francisco’s defense. Verrett played on a one-year, $1 million contract this season. He’ll get a raise this year, but probably not very much.

Michael Davis

A bit of a diamond in the rough, Davis was an undrafted free agent from Brigham Young in 2017. He developed into a starting cornerback for the Chargers, with 26 starts in the last two years. His peripherals are strong—he has as many interceptions (5) as touchdowns allowed in coverage over the past two seasons, on the way to a 78.0 passer rating when targeted. He also has enviable length, at 6’2” and 195 lbs.

Davis played under a one-year, $3.3 million contract in 2020. He’s due for a big payday, whether it’s with the Chargers or another team.

Other names

We haven’t covered all the starters (or depth options) who could be had. Some may be a bit pricey for the Bills to sign, but we can’t rule anything out at this point. To name a few: Shaquill Griffin, Terrance Mitchell, Brian Poole, William Jackson, Cameron Sutton, Kevin Johnson, Mackensie Alexander, Mike Hilton. Do any of those players pique your interest?

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[Crazy Legs 442]

While it is tempting to roll the dice on a player with injury history because you can get him cheap, I would not go down that path.

While it is tempting to go big, we can't  afford that approach.

Maybe a Troy Hill type.   Under $5 million a year....if he asks for $6 million or more, take a pass.

But truly I don't know how you sign and pay a CB more than $4 million a year.   The Cap is going to be a tight rope walk.

Pray that Dane Jackson can be a servicable starter...that would cost nothing.   And add a FA corner for depth behind him.  Plus draft another CB in the middle rounds.

[Tanqueray Ten 33]

I like Astro's latest mock - he has the Bills taking the OLB from Tulsa in RD 1, and then a tall CB in RD 2.

https://www.drafttek.com/2021-NFL-Mock-Draft/2021-NFL-Mock-Draft-Round-2.asp

The Bills need to think about staying put and drafting in the 30th overall slot very thoroughly - If I'm the braintrust I stay there because of the slotted pay scale and the 5th year option.  However...  If a team wants to move up for a Mac Jones or Kyle Trask and is willing to pay a small fortune to do so, then you really have to consider moving out of that pick.

I've never been a fan of moving down, but I love it when they move up...

[LIBills 1,297]

The Bills need a man to man CB with speed.

Those ARE NOT easy to come by.

[Laughing Coffin 1,388]

Verrett is sure to get paid won't he?  I'd be all over him if he came relatively cheap

[Crazy Legs 442]

2 hours ago, Laughing Coffin said:

Verrett is sure to get paid won't he?  I'd be all over him if he came relatively cheap

 

Jason Verrett for $2 million might be a win win.  Replacing the reps Josh Norman played this past year.

 

[Buffalo13 21,999]

21 hours ago, Crazy Legs said:

While it is tempting to roll the dice on a player with injury history because you can get him cheap, I would not go down that path.

While it is tempting to go big, we can't  afford that approach.

Maybe a Troy Hill type.   Under $5 million a year....if he asks for $6 million or more, take a pass.

But truly I don't know how you sign and pay a CB more than $4 million a year.   The Cap is going to be a tight rope walk.

Pray that Dane Jackson can be a servicable starter...that would cost nothing.   And add a FA corner for depth behind him.  Plus draft another CB in the middle rounds.

There are ways to figure it out.  And there is a reason why teams are so quick to add CBs.  We've been lucky with White's health but man...if he goes down we will struggle.  

Buffalo is in a great window of opportunity here and I wouldn't begrudge them at all for maxing out their credit card so to speak with some one year deals for guys. There are lots of teams in worse shape than us and we can actually get down under the cap enough by shedding guys or restructuring and then add some better players at below market 1 year deals b/c they are going to have to take them...not enough $$ to go around.  

[Victor7 89,986]

We seem to sign one or two every off season so sign me up for any of those names. 

But also sign me up on the list of people that don't see corner as such a big need. Wallace is a RFA. He should be easy to bring back. Unless of course we think he sucks, which I don't. Dane Jackson showed lots of promise last year. Taron Johnson is still under contract. There's other areas that are in more need of a big time signing/pick

[Crazy Legs 442]

39 minutes ago, Victor7 said:

We seem to sign one or two every off season so sign me up for any of those names. 

But also sign me up on the list of people that don't see corner as such a big need. Wallace is a RFA. He should be easy to bring back. Unless of course we think he sucks, which I don't. Dane Jackson showed lots of promise last year. Taron Johnson is still under contract. There's other areas that are in more need of a big time signing/pick

Agreed.  I think this will be the plan.  You definitely need CBs, but not an EJ Gaines that ends up producing nothing.

If we have 7 picks in the draft, add another CB late in the draft.   Find a FA veteran for not a lot of money, and let's see what Tauron Johnson and Dane Jackson can do being on the 53 man roster and available every week.