2014 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills host Bashaud Breeland, Ross Cockrell
Duke Blue Devils cornerback Ross Cockrell (6) intercepts a pass in the end zone during the second quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
The Buffalo Bills are busy looking at some solid cornerback prospects in the 2014 NFL Draft class, as the team announced, from the National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson, that they hosted two former ACC defensive backs on pre-draft visits. Clemson Tigers CB Bashaud Breeland and Duke Blue Devils corner Ross Cockrell are two solid prospects worth watching closely from now until May, and it will be interesting to see if the Bills will add them to the solid cornerback duo of former first-round picks Stephon Gilmore and Leodis McKelvin, who finally broke out last season.
Breeland could be the Bills pick in the second round, and there are some evaluators who are so high on him that they believe he is worth taking in the first round. While I wouldn’t take him until the third if I were the Bills, Breeland is a solid draft prospect and could make a strong impact as a rookie No. 3 CB for the Bills. Breeland has the ability to play at safety as well, and that versatility is very helpful, especially since the Bills lost Jairus Byrd and like players who have the ability to play at either position. A playmaker with a nose for the ball, Breeland has good ball skills, range, instincts, and aggressiveness, and it will be interesting to see if the Bills like him more at CB or S.
Cockrell isn’t as big of a name as Breeland, but he also had a great deal of success in college, as he was a durable leader who flashed some nice ball skills. I think Cockrell is a bit of an undervalued prospect, and he could be an excellent mid-round choice for the Bills. Of course, Cockrell isn’t really undervalued anymore thanks to some excellent 40 times this offseason, as he put himself on the map in a big way by totaling excellent workout numbers at Duke’s pro day.