In an effort to save budget space, the Buffalo Bills cut ties with seasoned cornerback Tre’Davious White this winter, bringing an abrupt end to a career that had been derailed by injuries over the previous three seasons.
However, an analyst speculates that White may still have a lot of fine football left in him despite suffering season-ending injuries in 2021 and 2023. Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker identified White as one of the league’s best bounce-back prospects for 2024, projecting that he may earn a starting position with the Rams and revert to the All-Pro level of play he shown before to the most recent injury.
After missing his whole 2021 season due to an ACL tear, White was able to recover and make a comeback to the field last year. However, in a Week 4 victory over the Miami Dolphins, White sustained a ruptured Achilles that ended his season. At the time of the injury, White seemed to be returning to his prior form, as Locker pointed out.
But a year ago, Locker noted, “White was off to a strong bounce back.” “On 116 coverage snaps, he gave up just nine catches for 60 yards and recorded an interception during that time.” Actually, he achieved his best coverage rating since 2017 with 79.0 (albeit this was in a very small sample).
White was cut by the Bills in early March as part of a wave of roster changes that freed up over $30 million in salary space. The seasoned cornerback then signed with the Rams. Locker projected that White could be able to earn a starting position in Los Angeles if he is cleared to return to the field.
Locker stated, “The Rams could allow White to start right away, particularly in light of Derion Kendrick’s difficulties over the previous two seasons.” “Having veteran Darious Williams by his side could also help White, as he could regain his confidence and ability while Williams takes on the more challenging assignments.”
With White and veteran safety Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer departing the team this summer, the Bills’ secondary will look different in 2024. Since joining the squad in 2017, the trio had established themselves in the secondary, contributing to a turnaround that saw the franchise’s 17-year postseason drought come to an end.
The club selected Utah safety Cole Bishop with a second-round draft choice in an effort to bring freshness to the secondary. Following the team’s initial sessions in May, Bills CB Taron Johnson gave the rookie some props.
Massive. When I first saw him, I thought, “This kid’s big,” Johnson told reporters on May 27, as reported by SI.com. “He moves like he’s my size [5’11,” 190 lbs.], like I’m watching him do the exercises.”
Cole may be a major contributor in the secondary this season, according to Johnson’s prediction.
“I think it will really help us to have a guy like that out there,” he added.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ safety Dee Delaney and the former Kansas City Chiefs’ safety Mike Edwards were two more secondary signings made by the Bills. In order to position safety Taylor Rapp for a starting position, the organization also re-signed him to a three-year contract deal.
