NFL Mock: Bills Draft CB Over LB; Right Move?

The Buffalo Bills have needs at running back and linebacker that they could address in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Has the Buffalo Bills' secondary gotten better this offseason?

Probably not, but it has not gotten worse either. The Bills re-signed safety Jordan Poyer, pairing him back with Micah Hyde. But other than that, they haven't done anything that would be considered a improvement. 

Yet, in a recent mock draft from Pro Football Focus, the Bills are projected to upgrade the secondary by drafting South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith at No. 27 overall. He could then grow alongside of group of veterans that also includes cornerback Tre'Davious White.

"Cam Smith has first-round talent at cornerback and trails only his teammate Darius Rush in forced incompletion rate over the past two seasons in this draft class (26.5%)," PFF wrote. "He allowed just a 55.4 passer rating into his coverage over that span, a fraction above Devon Witherspoon (55.1)."

But why would the Bills draft a cornerback in the first round after taking Kaiir Elam in the first round a year ago?

After not winning the starting job at outside cornerback at the beginning of the season, as the Bills went with Christian Benford. Elam would finish the season with six starts. While it was a slow start to his rookie year, Elam did prove to be a serviceable partner opposite of White. 

But at 28-years-old, maybe selecting White's eventual replacement wouldn't be a bad idea. White returned from an ACL injury near the end of last season, only starting in six games. In those games, White allowed a 54 percent completion rate while recording just one interception and six pass breakups. 

If the Bills aren't ready to move on from White, Smith could also transition into more of a nickel role, taking on slot receivers and tight ends. While at South Carolina, Smith played both on the outside and inside, but most likely projects as an outside guy at 6-1. 

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