ORCHARD PARK – You can never have enough corners, an axiom that pretty much every NFL team adheres too, including the Buffalo Bills.
Brandon Beane said as much Friday night when he met with reporters after picking Davison Ignibosun in the second round, and he’ll say it again Saturday night when he talks about his seventh-round selection of Missouri’s Toriano Pride Jr.
The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder began his career with two seasons at Clemson but could never break into the starting lineup full time despite playing 26 games. He played his last two years at Missouri and finally became a full-time starter midway through 2024, then started 12 games in 2025 and he made 24 tackles, broke up six passes and intercepted two.
He definitely has speed as he ran a 4.32 in the 40 at the combine which was the sixth-fastest among all the players who tested. Pride was a willing tackler, and he also played on special teams which will obviously be his quickest ticket to a game jersey.
It would seem that his best fit in the NFL will be in the slot.
“Pride did an admirable job of holding up outside against solid SEC competition but he’ll be under consideration as a slot corner in the pros,” NFL. com analyst Lance Zierlein said. “He plays with good zone awareness and average man-cover talent. He’s athletic with agile feet and is feisty at the catch-point, but he might not have the needed speed or length. Toughness is not an issue, but he will be dragged for additional yardage as a run-support tackler. A lack of traits and explosiveness create an uphill fight for him.”
Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for more than four decades including 37 years as the full-time beat writer/columnist for the D&C. He has written numerous books about the history of the team, and he is also co-host of the BLEAV in Bills podcast/YouTube show. He can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com, and you can follow him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bills draft speedy cornerback in seventh round as they beef up secondary
Reporting by Sal Maiorana, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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