A group that will be tested
The defensive back field is a group that got weaker with the loss of cornerback Nate Clements. This group will surely be tested this year, due to that loss.
A lot of teams early on will pick on Terrance McGee to see if he can handle playing with the big boys. The thing is though coverage for a cover two system is more zone than it is one on one coverage. The real key to the success of the Buffalo Bills defending the pass is the safties.
The safties are the shut down people of the cover two system. One second delay in getting somewhere can mean disaster for a defense. With both the free and strong safties being in their second year the pass defense should not be a problem. Help for this unit comes in many different forms.
If the defensive line steps up its play the defensive back fireld will be okay. Also, what should help the DB’s is that both free safety Ko Simpson and strong safety Donte Whitner are going in to their second year of fulltime playing, so they should know the defense.
The only unknown is who is going to fill the other cornerback void. Jason Webster, who signed as a free agent, is expected to start. This is due to Ashton Youboty having to take care of family matters throughout most of training camp. However, Youboty can steal the position away with a good camp. His chances are good since he went to Ohio State University for college. The Bills have had several draft picks that turned into solid corners out of there.
This is the one unit who’s play depends on the rest of their teammates. If the reast do good the DBs will be fine. If not then watch out for them to get picked apart.