Keni-H Lovely Could Became the Bills’ No. 4 Boundary CB
As the 2024 NFL season approaches, it seems likely that Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford will once again assume their positions as starting corners for the Buffalo Bills. However, Kaiir Elam – a first-round pick from 2022 – is expected to challenge them for more playing time on a regular basis. Meanwhile, Ja’Marcus Ingram and Kyron Brown provide additional depth at this position.
Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic suggested that the Bills might benefit from signing a budget-friendly veteran to serve as their fourth cornerback. Taron Johnson is considered one of the team’s top players in the nickel position, and either Cam Lewis or sixth-round draft pick Daequan Hardy could provide backup support for him. Although Lewis usually practices with safeties, he should be listed under safety on the roster rather than cornerback for numbering purposes.
On May 3, the Bills added three experienced free agents to their roster. Despite this, they did not include any cornerbacks in their signings. The team may consider signing a new player after Tre’Davious White’s departure frees up $10.2 million; however, if Lovely – who recorded an impressive 4.37-second run for the 40-yard dash- continues to perform well, such a move may be unnecessary.
In an article for SI, Kyle Silagyi stated that Lovely primarily played on the boundary during the 2023 season. Out of his 646 defensive snaps, 513 were out wide. As a result, he will be up against Ja’Marcus Ingram and Kyron Brown to secure a place at cornerback towards the end of Buffalo Bills’ depth chart despite being only five-foot-ten in height.
Bills UDFA Te’Cory Couch Is a Nickel CB & Special Team Candidate
Te’Cory Couch, another undrafted free agent cornerback who joined the Bills, possesses similar skills to Hardy’s. According to Silagyi, Couch is expected to contribute as a backup nickel defender and special teams player if he manages to make it onto Buffalo’s roster. While playing for Miami last season, his primary role was that of a slot receiver where he played 482 snaps as a nickel cornerback.
In 2023, Couch’s stat line included a total of 38 tackles along with 4 passes defensed, 3 interceptions and one forced fumble. Despite being listed at only five-foot-ten inches tall and weighing in at just over one hundred seventy-five pounds on Miami’s website, he was praised by SI analysts for his wealth of experience. Though there is some question surrounding his physical stature as it relates to his position on the team; he will be competing against Daequan Hardy for the Bills’ backup nickel spot during training camp and preseason games this coming season.
Nonetheless, Hardy’s potential to contribute significantly on special teams cannot be overlooked. According to the Bills, during his tenure as Penn State’s primary punt returner in the previous season, he produced an average of 14.6 yards per run with two touchdowns – covering distances of 56 and 68 yards- against UMASS in one game alone; so far becoming the first athlete ever for that school to achieve multiple touchdown runs from returning a punt within just a single match.”
In 2023, the athlete who stands at a height of 5 feet and 9 inches and weighs in at 179 pounds tallied up a total of 22 tackles. Additionally, he successfully defended seven passes and snagged two interceptions.
