ORCHARD PARK — Dee Alford was surprised when the Buffalo Bills asked him to field punts in practice.
It’s been three years since Alford returned an NFL punt, averaging 8 yards per return on 20 attempts for the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. But the Bills are still seeking a punt returner, with other candidates including running back Ray Davis and Mecole Hardman Jr.
Naturally the Bills would prefer their punt returner not occupy a roster spot to fill one role. Alford can certainly occupy more than one role and his versatility could have an impact on how the Bills shape their roster, which must be down to 53 players by 6 p.m. Sunday.
The Bills signed Alford to a three-year, $15.75 million contract during the offseason to be their new nickelback, replacing former All-Pro Taron Johnson. But Alford also has the ability to play boundary cornerback, logging 143 snaps there last season.
“I got more miles in the slot, so I feel like I’m natural in the slot,” Alford told GNN Sports after practice Monday. “It’s two different worlds as far as being in the slot and being outside as a corner. It’s a whole different route tree, things like that. But I’m one of them guys where it’s wherever I line up, I’m trying to put my best foot forward and compete no matter what.”
Most teams keep four boundary cornerbacks on their active rosters, although the fourth is frequently inactive, which was commonly the case under former Bills coach Sean McDermott. The Bills entered the spring without an obvious candidate for the role and it appears they are still searching.
Undrafted free agent Kani Walker has seemingly been the favorite for the job since minicamp, but he still doesn’t seem to be a lock. Seventh-round pick Toriano Pride Jr. has gotten plenty of work there and the rotation against the Cleveland Browns didn’t offer much clarity.
Walker started the game, but played into the fourth quarter. Pride came in later, but was taken out earlier. Walker logged 45 snaps to Pride’s 29, but Walker missed most of the previous week with a lower-body injury and only saw 12 snaps in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers.
But if the Bills only kept three boundary cornerbacks, it would be contradictory to general manager Brandon Beane’s reasoning for trading up to select Davison Igbinosun in the second round. Beane is correct in saying it’s hard to find good cornerbacks and teams are adept at targeting the ones who can’t keep pace.
Cornerbacks also tend to get injured, particularly projected starters Christian Benford (who has never played a full season) and Maxwell Hairston, who earlier in training camp suffered his third lower-body injury since being drafted last year.
“That’s the fun part of coaching to me,” Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard said. “It’s being creative, using the players you have. Every game you get into there’s a situation that pops up where you’re one injury or your one bad performance away from a lot of pieces moving around. … It’s huge to me having a handful of guys who you know have a flexible skill set. The more players you have like that in different groups, the better.”
Although Alford has experience on the boundary, that’s not his natural position. Alford’s size — 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds — and skill sets are suited to play nickel, covering receivers with similar attributes.
There are also different techniques and routes playing outside. So while Alford could play there in a pinch, he likely wouldn’t be a long-term solution if injuries ravage the Bills.
“Being outside, it’s a whole different route tree. It’s kind of like a one-way go,” Alford said. “As far as the slot, you got guys who can go any way they want to. So it’s kind of tough being in the slot. You just got to know where your help is and different things like that.”
There are also players like Jordan Hancock who could impact how the Bills divvy up the roster. Hancock has excelled at nickel during training camp, but he also showed promise as a safety during his rookie campaign last year.
Heading into training camp, it didn’t seem like the Bills would have space for both Damar Hamlin and Geno Stone. But C.J. Gardner-Johnson has been injured most of camp and Cole Bishop spent time nursing an injury, while Stone is playing through an undisclosed injury.
Coach Joe Brady has been tight-lipped about injuries, but Gardner-Johnson’s injury (and Stone’s) might be enough to keep both, unless the Bills feel confident in Hancock’s ability to fill in there.
“He has to be a little bit of a Swiss Army Knife right now as far as learning safety, learning the nickel position,” Leonhard said. “There’s other sub-package groupings that we could get him in that are kind of that hybrid type of role as well.”
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Brady said Tuesday that some starters will play in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but quarterback Josh Allen will not be one of them. In fact, Brady said Allen may call some plays from the sideline during the game.
Linebacker Joe Andreessen, offensive tackle Jude Bowry, linebacker Terrel Bernard, wide receiver Keon Coleman, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr., running back Ty Johnson, center Connor McGovern, defensive tackle Ed Oliver, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Javon Solomon and center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger did not practice Tuesday.
Brady said Bernard was dealing with an injury, but they expect him to be ready for the season opener. Bernard was limited during last week’s joint practice with the Browns, didn’t play in the game and didn’t practice Monday.