The Buffalo Bills announced today that they have cut cornerback Drayton Florence. While the move saves the team $4.9 million in cap space, the big question is: did they cut the right cornerback?
After drafting Stephon Gilmore (first round) and Ron Brooks (fourth round) in last month’s National Football League Draft, the Bills had a log jam. In addition to Florence, Gilmore and Brooks, the Bills also have Terrence McGee, Leodis McKelvin, 2010 second round pick Aaron William and Justin Rodgers.
That makes seven cornerbacks and most NFL teams only keep six. That means one of them had to go. The problem isn’t cutting a cornerback, but the person they Bills chose to cut.
Florence has played every game for the Bills over the last two years, while McGee has only played in 15 games in two years. Yes, McGee is much better when he’s on the field than Florence, but what good is talent if it is always on the sidelines?
One of the major problems over the last three years has been injuries and unfortunately McGee has been a victim of that. In addition to only playing in 15 games, McGee’s injuries were severe enough that he wound up having the last two seasons end by being placed on injured reserve.
What the Bills are going to most likely do is hold an open competition for the two starting cornerback spots between Williams, McKelvin. Gilmore and Brooks. McGee will likely be the third cornerback coming in on nickel and dime defense packages, which should limit his playing time and hopefully keep him healthy.
