Key Takeaways:
– Buffalo Bills added new talent through the 2024 NFL draft, with cornerback Keni-H Lovely tipped as one to watch.
– An undrafted free agent, Lovely is predicted to cement his place as the Bills’ No. 4 cornerback.
– Fellow Bills’ new addition, Te’Cory Couch, and sixth-round pick Daequan Hardy are also eyed as promising prospects.
– Through free agency and the recent draft, the Bills have enhanced their roster depth in hopes of a successful season.
The Buffalo Bills enriched their roster in the 2024 NFL draft by recruiting ten new players and numerous undrafted free agents. Making a final roster is a tough task for undrafted players, yet cornerback Keni-H Lovely from Western Michigan is seen as a strong contender.
Keni-H Lovely: The Potential Bills’ No. 4 Boundary CB
Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News highlighted in his latest column that among all undrafted free agents, Lovely stands the best chance of making the 53-man roster. He hinted at the possibility of Lovely securing his spot as the Bills’ No. 4 cornerback. The tweet from Built In Buffalo confirmed the signing of Lovely.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, in his draft preview, classified Lovely as a priority free agent. He praised Lovely’s speed, competitive play, and ball skills. Despite identifying areas for improvement in Lovely’s game, Brugler was optimistic about his chances of making the cut due to his athleticism and talent.
A Remarkable Athletic Profile
Lovely’s statistics from Western Michigan underscore his skills. He recorded 96 total tackles, defended 7 passes, made 6 interceptions, recovered 2 fumbles, and scored 2 touchdowns. His exceptional speed caught attention as he clocked a 4.37 40-yard dash.
Lovely primarily played on the boundary in the 2023 season, competing with Ja’Marcus Ingram and Kyron Brown. SI’s Kyle Silagyi notes that Lovely’s experience could be a decisive factor in the race for a spot on the Bills’ depth chart at cornerback.
Te’Cory Couch and Daequan Hardy: The New Competitors
Te’cory Couch, an undrafted free agent, and Daequan Hardy, a sixth-round pick, have also added to the Bills’ options. Both will compete for the team’s backup nickel spot in the upcoming training camp and preseason games.
Couch’s past records indicate solid performance with 38 total tackles, 4 defended passes, 3 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble in the previous season. Despite concerns about his size, SI’s analysis highlighted Couch’s extensive experience as an asset to the Bills.
Meanwhile, Hardy is projected to make an impact beyond his cornerback role, particularly on special teams. In his tenure at Penn State, Hardy excelled as a punt returner, averaging 14.6 yards per return. Reminiscent of his stand-out performance against UMASS, he returned two punts for touchdowns, making school history.
Buffalo has not signed any veteran free agents at the cornerback position as of May 3. If the cleared funds from Tre’Davious White’s exit are used wisely, the signing of a free agent may be unnecessary. As the new season grows closer, fans are eager to see how these fresh additions will enhance the team’s performance.