INDIANAPOLIS (WGR 550) -- Those that listened to all that Buffalo Bills GM Buddy Nix had to say on Thursday, it's easy to come away with an impression on how they feel about one player in particular.
With Jairus Byrd and Andy Levitre getting all the attention as their top impending unrestricted free agents, Nix puts former first-round pick and cornerback Leodis McKelvin as an important re-sign as well. Near the end of his appearance with The Howard Simon Show, the GM spoke about liking the youth and depth of his cornerbacks.
The one thing he didn't say, however, is that there was a second starter amongst that group. He responded to that question, anointing the Bills top returner to a high billing despite his status as a soon-to-be UFA.
"If I had to say right now on our roster between now and March 12, it'd be Leodis," Nix said of the corner to start opposite Stephon Gilmore. "Leodis has got to have some help, but he's a big time returner. I think Leodis will be a candidate for that spot."
The bigger question, perhaps, is where that leaves former second round pick Aaron Williams.
"Well Aaron's coming along good. He's gonna be something that the coaches will decide where he best fits," the GM remarked.
There has been some talk that Williams' best fit may actually be at safety. Even leading up to the 2011 draft, some prognosticators speculated that the former Texas Longhorn's best fit in the NFL would be playing deep.
Is there internal talk that a switch may be in order? Nix certainly didn't cast the idea aside.
"See, that's Doug and his staff. You'd have to ask them that question," he replied. "I don't -- as much as people would like to think you do, you go down there and tell the coach who to play and what to call -- I don't do that. I hired a guy that I think is good enough, which we did. We'll let him decide that."
Whatever the case may be, the Bills will likely have to address the cornerback position at some point. Gilmore is a starter, but after him there are nothing but questions. Williams hasn't played up to his billing, McKelvin is a free agent, Ron Brooks didn't discern himself when given an opportunity to start and Justin Rogers was benched as the team's nickel corner.
Although they selected a cornerback with their first pick in 2012, there is a case to be made for the Bills to consider using a pick within the first two days at that position.
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