Christian Benford, a rookie cornerback, is a player to keep an eye on. Benford, a 6-1, 205-pounder from Villanova, is one of only 20 players drafted from the FCS division of college football.
Last season, Benford’s physical approach helped him lead the FCS with 25 pass deflections and 7 interceptions. Leslie Frazier, who is in charge of coordinating defenses, has already started praising him.
It’s possible that nobody gave the sixth-round pick any thought, but Buffalo took notice. In the draft, the Buffalo Bills selected Florida’s Kaiir Elam with the hopes of making him a starting cornerback opposite Tre’Davious White.
Yet Elam has failed to make an impression in camp, making room for Benford to play with the first team. And he may have done enough to lock down that role permanently when preseason action begins.
Considering White is currently rehabbing from an ACL injury he sustained in Week 12 of the previous season, there are two starting places open right after training camp.
Benford has a chance to crack the starting lineup in September if he performs well against the Colts. He also doesn’t have to perform at a high level in the preseason.
Benford can get his season started with the first team against the Rams if he has a great, controlled performance. Then, if he can put together some solid performances before White comes back, he’ll be able to join the rest of the starters on the field for the team’s Super Bowl run.