The Buffalo Bills are a club that regularly appears in primetime games and is discussed nationally. As such, they have a disproportionate number of players that are incredibly underappreciated, and cornerback Christian Benford is arguably the best example of this.
This can be because of the defender’s expectations going into the NFL, or rather, the lack of them. Few anticipated much from the 6-foot-1 cornerback, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by Buffalo from Division 1 FCS school Villanova. In fact, Buffalo’s management had publicly discussed moving him to safety. Benford may have benefited from the lack of excitement as he quietly put together a strong summer and preseason on his way to unseating Kaiir Elam—who was chosen 162 picks ahead of him in the draft.
For the better part of his professional career, Benford has been a consistent starter, starting 19 games in the last two seasons. As the quintessential defensive back for Sean McDermott, he has recorded 78 total tackles, 15 pass deflections, and three interceptions. He isn’t very spectacular, but he just does what is required of him and seldom makes mistakes.
Many in Western New York have come to see the 23-year-old defender as a possible cornerstone due to his play, particularly in light of Buffalo’s decision to let go of Tre’Davious White in the offseason, the age of fellow starter Rasul Douglas (who will turn 30 in a few months), and the unanswered questions that still surround Elam. Fans believe that Benford is the team’s best chance of being a long-term cornerback.
According to Orr, Benford will have to fight against some formidable receiving corps throughout the upcoming season, including Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Garrett Wilson. Fortunately, Buffalo’s secondary will help him hold his own against these opponents. However, he has improved each of his two professional seasons, and at the end of the 2023 season—having picked up two interceptions in the final four weeks of the regular season—he was playing perhaps his best football to date. If this trend continues, a Pro Bowl nomination is definitely possible.
Benford appears to be holding onto his starting position quite firmly, but it will be interesting to watch how he responds to criticism from an Elam that appears to be on the rise.
