3 Corners, Only 2 Starting Spots?

The question still remains who will be Buffalo’s opening day starters at CB.  After last season ended it appeared to be a lock that Leodis McKelvin and Terrance McGee would be entrenched in those roles.  During the off season the Buffalo Bills made a small splash in Free Agency when they signed former second round pick Drayton Florence.  Although the signing received very little fanfare, Drayton does poses the tools to be a starter on this Bills team.

Drayton came into the league expected to be the second half of a dynamic duo with Quintin Jammer in San Diego.  Unfortunately that never did materialize the way the Chargers had expected and he quickly joined the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Drayton had 10 starts to his credit last year but was unable to produce any interceptions.  So why the excitement?  Drayton poses true top end speed and has a decent vertical as well, measurables that are important to the CB position.  Standing 6′0″ he also is much taller than Terrance McGee who is talented but has difficulty matching up against bigger WR.  According to Paul Zimmerman, an average Wonderlic score for a CB is 18.  Drayton achieved a 22.  I know, Florence will not win a Nobel Prize in Quantum Physics, but anything above the average is good.

Drayton has been pushing Leodis McKelvin lately at camp and may land himself a starting roster spot.  With McGee set to be a free agent, it may be that the Bills are looking ahead in replacing him.  It appears the Bills are finally being proactive in this regard instead of when they let go of Nate Clements without a viable replacement.  I like Terrance McGee, and even though he does lack height he does play his heart out at a high level.  But, as he approaches 30, the Bills have to wonder if McGee is not better suited as a Nickel Back more than a starting CB.  Hopefully Drayton can finally deliver on all the promise he showed in college and at times while with San Diego.  If he can, the combination of McKelvin and Florence could be something to watch.

Tags: Buffalo Bills, Drayton Florence, Jacksonville Jaguars, Leodis McKelvin, Nate Clements, Paul Zimmerman, San Diego Chargers, Terrance McGee, Wonderlic