NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Buffalo Bills: Tre’Davious White proving to be building block already

By Cody Williams

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 10: Jermaine Kearse #10 of the New York Jets is tackled by Tre'Davious White #27 of the Buffalo Bills on September 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 10: Jermaine Kearse #10 of the New York Jets is tackled by Tre'Davious White #27 of the Buffalo Bills on September 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Buffalo Bills rookie cornerback Tre’Davious White has only played in two NFL games, but he’s hit the ground running looking like a defensive building block.

There were several position groups in the 2017 NFL Draft class that many circled as the deepest. Chief among them, however, was cornerback. This was one of the richest drafts at the position in recent memory, with viable Day 1 starters being found all the way through the second round. One such player was the LSU product that the Buffalo Bills used the No. 27 pick to select, Tre’Davious White.

Over the course of his LSU career, White was obviously impressive enough to earn being selected in the first round. With that being said, he truly didn’t receive the same amount of fanfare as others in the class. After two weeks of his rookie season, however, it’s apparent that he should’ve been getting as much attention as anyone.

After trading Ronald Darby leading into the regular season, two things were apparent for the Bills. For starters, it was clear that they were about to start restructuring and rebuilding for the future. Secondly, part of their new intended path was clearly to get White involved heavily right from the jump. They’ve undoubtedly done that.

More from Buffalo Bills

According to Pro Football Focus Elite, White leads the Bills cornerbacks in snaps spent in coverage through the first two weeks of the season, logging 79 already. What’s more impressive, though, is how he’s performed in those coverage snaps. He’s been targeted 10 times by opposing quarterbacks, allowing five receptions for 79 yards. While that yardage total isn’t phenomenal, it’s certainly solid for a rookie being targeted relatively often to this point.

What’s more, White’s overall performance can’t just be measured in what he’s done when targeted. He’s also graded out well overall according to Pro Football Focus Edge as their grades also incorporate coverage snaps when players aren’t targeted. White has graded as the 12th best overall corner in the NFL through two weeks, including being tied as the 16th best in coverage and the ninth best in run defense.

One of the early surprises in the season has been how solidly the Bills defense has performed. They shut down the lowly New York Jets in Week 1, but then more impressively stifled the Carolina Panthers offense this past weekend, even if it came in a loss. White’s performance from the jump in his NFL career has been a big part of that.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Offensive linemen fill big needs

There’s no telling which parts of the core on defense the Bills front office plans to keep long-temr for the most part. However, White will obviously be a part of those plans and would’ve been regardless of his early-career play. Given how well he’s done to start, though, it’s starting to take shape that he’s not just part of the long-term vision in Buffalo, but an integral cornerstone for this defense.

Home/Buffalo Bills