The Buffalo Bills pulled off a savvy move at the 2023 trade deadline by acquiring cornerback Rasul Douglas from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for third- and fifth-round draft picks. Douglas quickly became a key part of Buffalo’s defense, starting 23 games over the next season and a half and helping the team reach the AFC Championship game last year.
However, the Bills may now be in the market for Douglas’s replacement, as the veteran cornerback has entered free agency with no clear signs of returning to Buffalo. One NFL analyst predicted Douglas could sign with an NFC contender, leaving the Bills with a gap to fill in their secondary.
Despite occasional struggles in coverage, Douglas provided consistency in Buffalo’s secondary. Over 24 games, he recorded 88 tackles and made a significant impact in 2023 with four interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report identified Douglas as the top remaining free agent, praising his ability to quickly adapt to new defensive systems. “The 29-year-old also has a history of quickly adapting to new defensive environments. He latched on with the Green Bay Packers in 2021 and immediately made a difference. He did the same after being traded to Buffalo in 2023,” Knox wrote.
Knox suggested that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be a potential landing spot for Douglas but highlighted the Detroit Lions as a likely contender. With the Lions losing a starting cornerback this offseason, they may seek a reliable veteran to bolster their secondary.
“The Detroit Lions should also give Douglas a look. Detroit has added the likes of D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin to its cornerback room this offseason, but it lost Carlton Davis and dealt with defensive depth issues a season ago,” Knox noted.
Bills May Look to Youth in the Secondary
The Bills found a rising star in sixth-round cornerback Christian Benford, but with Douglas potentially departing, they may need to add another player to their secondary. Chad Reuter of NFL.com predicted the Bills could make a bold move in the draft by trading up to select Florida State cornerback Azareye’h Thomas with the No. 24 overall pick.
“Buffalo moves up to secure Thomas’ 6-1 1/4, 197-pound frame, giving up their two fourth-round selections to Minnesota in the deal,” Reuter predicted. “The Vikings could stay put and take a defensive back themselves, but they currently only have four selections in this draft, so adding two early Day 3 picks might be worth the risk of moving down the board a bit.”
Additionally, the Bills will need to make a decision on Benford, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. General manager Brandon Beane hinted at the team’s desire to extend him.
“One of the funnest joys is when you get to re-sign one of the guys that you drafted and developed,” Beane said, via SB Nation’s Buffalo Rumblings. “That’s much more fun to me than going to free agency and paying someone that you haven’t been around. You have to do it; it’s a necessary part of it to fill some holes prior to the draft, but those names that we’ve gotten done so far this offseason — [Khalil] Shakir, TB [Terrel Bernard], Greg Rousseau — that’s what it’s about.”