The Buffalo Bills’ secondary had a very good 2025 season, allowing just 2,668 passing yards (156.9 per game, first in NFL) and a stingy 5.8 yards per attempt (fourth-lowest), while ranking 12th in EPA per play allowed (-0.043) and sixth in coverage success rate (58.2%). A look at advanced metrics reinforces an elite pass coverage unit (second in Pro Football Focus coverage grade at 82.4), but vulnerabilities in run support from the secondary.
As the fourth installment in a series evaluating the Bills’
roster for a potential 2026 Super Bowl run, I’ll apply what I’ve termed as the “Lofton Exercise” to categorize players as “game-winners” (elite talents who can single-handedly win multiple games), “win-with players” (reliable contributors who perform well but aren’t consistent difference-makers), or “needs improvement” (inconsistent or underdeveloped). I’ll continue here with a look at Buffalo’s defensive backs (cornerbacks and safeties), both those under contract and free agents.
Below, I’ll incorporate 2025 stats, postseason performances, and advanced metrics like PFF grades, expected points added (EPA), success rates, and others to build my case. The defensive backs provided lockdown coverage but there are questions about depth heading into the 2026 season.
Game-Winners
These players stood out as elite talents capable of dominating matchups and carrying the unit in critical moments. Their performances were crucial for the Bills’ success.
CB Christian Benford
After a slow start, cornerback Christian Benford established himself as an elite, All-Pro caliber defender, starting 14 games and anchoring the secondary with a high-impact, shutdown presence. He recorded 43 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions (one for a touchdown), two fumble recoveries (one for a TD), and four pass defenses (798 defensive snaps).
Benford’s advanced metrics were elite: a Pro Football Focus (PFF) coverage grade of 81.5 (top-10 among cornerbacks), 0.08 EPA per target allowed (sixth), and a 45.2% success rate in coverage (top-five). Benford matched up with the opposing team’s top-targeted receiver on 45.4% of his coverage matchups from Weeks 8 through 16, the highest rate among 98 cornerbacks with at least 100 total matchups. He ranked as one of the best in the NFL at preventing separation, continuing a trend where he allowed just 0.76 yards per coverage snap over his previous two seasons.
In the playoffs, Benford added four tackles and two pass breakups, limiting receivers to three catches for 28 yards in coverage. From Weeks 6-16, Benford allowed the lowest passer rating in coverage at 17.9 (minimum 50 coverage snaps), with just eight receptions allowed on 21 targets for 119 yards and zero touchdowns. He was a major Pro Bowl snub and received just one All-Pro vote. Benford is a true game-winner who can match up with elite receivers, and he’s the best player on Buffalo’s defense.
S Cole Bishop
The former Utah product emerged as a standout in his second season, leading the team with 85 tackles (53 solo), adding 2.0 sacks, 3 interceptions, 7 passes defensed, and 4 tackles for loss across 17 starts. His advanced metrics were strong: a PFF overall grade of 74.1 (14th among safeties), 73.7 coverage grade (16th), -0.05 EPA per target allowed, and a 78.2% tackling success rate (top-20). He allowed just a 29.6 passer rating (the lowest of any safety with over 300 snaps), and showcased high versatility, playing 263 snaps at free safety, 145 in the box, 64 in the slot, and 32 along the defensive line.
Bishop is a game-winner with range and physicality, disrupting passes and stuffing runs — and he led the team-in interceptions last season. He had a nice second-year leap, moving from a reserve role to a cornerstone player in Buffalo’s defense. Now with a new coordinator and new defensive schemes, it’s expected that the next jump is to NFL stardom.
Win-With Players
This group provided reliable, complementary production without consistently dominating. Their stats and metrics show solid contributions that help the team win, but they don’t carry teams alone.
CB Tre’Davious White (UFA)
White started in 16 regular-season games, recording 40 total tackles (29 solo), 10 pass defenses (tied-42nd in NFL), and one interception, overcoming a slow start to deliver a solid, veteran performance after previous struggles during injury-plagued seasons.
Pro Football Focus had the veteran with a 63.9 overall grade and a 66.2 coverage grade, ranked 39th among all starting NFL cornerbacks. He ended the season on a high note, though, looking healthy and the closest we’ve seen to his prime self in a long time. It looks like White hasn’t garnered a strong market during the first wave of free agency, which could open the door for a return to Buffalo if he accepts a lesser deal and a diminished role. White, at minimum, still brings plenty as a veteran depth cornerback.
CB Maxwell Hairston
The rookie had an injury-plagued season, but flashed with 18 tackles, two interceptions, and five pass breakups in 11 games, all coming in a rotational duty. His PFF coverage grade was 64.3 (55th among cornerbacks), with 0.04 EPA per target allowed and 48.6% success rate.
When given an opportunity, the Kentucky product flashed the skills and athletic ability that made him a first-round selection. It’s an important offseason for Hairston as the team expects more impact and a bigger role in his second season. If he can stay healthy, Hairston could be primed for a successful sophomore year, similar to Cole Bishop.
Needs Improvement
These players lacked consistency, often due to limited snaps, inexperience, or simply not being talented enough, even if some of them showed potential at some point. At this point in time, each of them requires more development for possible bigger roles.
S Jordan Poyer (UFA)
Jordan Poyer returned to the Bills in 2025, initially starting on the practice squad before stepping into a key role following injuries in the secondary. He was an immediate stabilizing force, finishing the regular season with 70 total tackles (31 solo), 0.5 sacks, and one interception in 10 games. He was generally rated within the top-50 safety range among qualifying players, playing 900-plus snaps.
At 34 years old, Poyer is near the end of his career, though. Last year, he expressed his desire to retire with the team, and with the change in defensive schemes, it might be time to hang up the cleats as a Bills legend.
NCB Taron Johnson (traded to Las Vegas Raiders)
Taron Johnson experienced a down season with Buffalo, yielding a 60.5 PFF overall grade, ranking 66th out of 114 qualified cornerbacks. He recorded 57 tackles, one tackle for loss, and four passes defended in 13 games. His performance saw a dip in coverage, with a notable 109.7 opposing passer rating allowed when targeted.
Gone are the days of McDermott’s base nickel defense, where Johnson was asked to play in the box as a quasi-linebacker and often delivered with instincts and physicality. It has cost him playing time, and it’s fair to question how much his body can still take after years of wear and tear.
In the new scheme, more speed, change of direction, and coverage ability will be asked of the team’s nickel, and Johnson hasn’t been good there recently. The trade to the Raiders for a late pick swap should be good for both sides.
S Jordan Hancock
The fifth-round rookie was primarily used as a developmental safety and special teams contributor, playing 19% of the Bills’ defensive snaps and 58% of special teams snaps. Rotating in for Poyer on clear passing downs, Hancock got some time with the first-team defense, but struggled when trusted into a starting safety position during the playoffs against the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, from the 15 rookie safeties who played at least 150 snaps last season, Hancock had the third best PFF grade, at 70.2, only behind Xavier Watts (72.4), and Nick Emmanwori (71.0).
Entering his sophomore season, Hancock is expected to compete for playing time at the safety and nickel cornerback spots, offering quality depth and potential at those positions. He’s a player I’m particularly high on, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him playing meaningful snaps in Leonhard’s defense in 2026. He must continue to improve overall, though.
NCB Cam Lewis (UFA – signed with Chicago Bears)
The former UB Bull contributed by serving as a versatile piece in the secondary with 43 tackles, 4 pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. He started four games and logged 370 defensive snaps, and also played 222 special-teams snaps.
His PFF grade of 62.1 reflects average play in limited roles. He was a valuable depth piece, but needs to be better for an increased role. Maybe he’ll get a chance in Chicago.
S Taylor Rapp (released)
Taylor Rapp’s 2025 season with the Bills was cut short by a knee injury, which only allowed him to play in six games. He began the season as a starter but was placed on Injured Reserve (IR) in October 2025 after a disappointing start to the year. He recorded 26 tackles (17 solo, 9 assisted), with no interceptions or forced fumbles. His advanced metrics included a PFF overall grade of 44.6 (93rd/98 safeties), 47.3 coverage grade (82nd/98 safeties), and 45.4 run defense grade (96th/98 safeties).
Once a starter, Rapp will continue his career elsewhere. His release saved Buffalo over $3 million against the cap.
Other players in this tier:
- S Damar Hamlin: Suffered a pectoral injury in practice and was placed on IR. He played in only five games in 2025, primarily functioning as a depth player rather than the starter he was in 2024.
- CB Dorian Strong: Recorded 10 tackles (7 solo, 1 assist) in four games. His rookie season was cut short after he suffered a neck injury in practice, after Week 4. Promising young talent with career in doubt at the moment.
- CB Dane Jackson: Appeared in only three regular-season games, and in his lone playoff snap, was burned for a TD. A vet who knew the previous schemes, unlikely a fit going forward.
- S Darnell Savage
Final Assessment
The Bills’ secondary is promising — Benford and Bishop are capable of playing at the highest level, and Hairston and Hancock (not to the same extent, but still) offer elite physical traits with lots of potential for Jim Leonhard. With the free-agency additions of Dee Alford, CJ Gardner-Johnson, and Geno Stone (more about them in the coming days), this secondary starts to look like one that should succeed with the aggressiveness of the new play-caller.
Catch up on all this and more with the latest edition of Leading the Charge!
