Just over a year after the Buffalo Bills selected him in the sixth round, cornerback Christian Benford has quickly made his mark on the franchise.
As a rookie, Benford earned a starting role out of the gate alongside fellow corner Dane Jackson. While Benford starting was almost certainly a result of star corner Tre'Davious White recovering from injury, the fact that he beat out Kaiir Elam, whom the Bills took over 160 picks before Benford, was very impressive. The Villanova product fell out of the starting lineup eventually, though, and injuries plagued him throughout the year.
Despite that, Benford proved this offseason that him starting as a rookie wasn't just a fluke. On Wednesday, coach Sean McDermott named Benford as a starting corner alongside White, beating out Jackson and Elam again.
As Benford jumps back into the starting role, he's counting on the same mentality that got him to this point to guide him further.
"Never get too high, never get too low, never get complacent," Benford told reporters. "So I'm going to just keep doing what I've been doing regardless of the title. Starter, second-string, it doesn't really matter, I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing."
Even though Benford has earned the starting job once again, it's still a new feeling the second time around. Not easier, not harder, just different.
"It's a different transition compared to last year due to the fact that I had some reps on Sundays and Mondays," Benford said. "So it's a different mindset and I'm more of a developed player, more mature on the field and off the field, so it's definitely a different type of transition."
Statistically, Benford had a decent showing in his rookie season. He had 17 solo tackles, five passes defended and an interception, and in coverage, he allowed 17 receptions for 231 yards and a touchdown on 28 targets. There's still room for improvement, but for a sixth-round rookie, Benford played quite well.
As he becomes a starter for the second time in as many years, Benford will look to improve in the way the Bills know he can.
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