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Is Buffalo Bills rookie CB Dorian Strong the next Christian Benford?

Posted on May 23, 2025 - 4:19 pm by

Early accolades have the late-round rookie in the spotlight very early during his NFL career.

Buffalo Bills rookie cornerback Dorian Strong, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech, has the potential to follow in the footsteps of the team’s previous late-round defensive gems. Christian Benford (Round 6), Dane Jackson (Round 7), and Levi Wallace (UDFA) have each thrived in Buffalo’s defensive system, becoming key contributors despite their modest draft pedigrees.

Strong’s schematic fit, parallels to his predecessors, and impressive start at 2025 Bills rookie minicamp position him as a candidate to replicate their success. He’s a young man with good size and great collegiate production who’s already impressed, showing potential as a great fit for what the Bills’ defense likes to do.

Strong finds himself contributing heavily, perhaps way earlier than expected, even beating first-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston in the process. We’ve seen it already, and it could happen again. Can Strong emerge as the next Christian Benford, though?

Dorian Strong’s college production: A true football player

Dorian Strong’s college career at Virginia Tech provides a compelling case for his potential. Over the course of 53 games, he recorded 110 tackles, seven interceptions, and 27 pass deflections — a testament to his consistent play-making ability despite being heavily avoided by opposing quarterbacks. Strong’s 2023 and 2024 seasons, where he started all 25 games, showcased durability and growth after a 2022 injury.

His interception total and pass deflections highlight his ball skills, while his tackle numbers reflect a willingness to engage in run support — a critical trait for Bills cornerbacks under head coach Sean McDermott.

Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Comparatively, Christian Benford’s college stats at Villanova included 137 tackles, 14 interceptions, and 47 pass deflections over 36 games. While Benford’s per-game production was slightly higher, Strong’s numbers are impressive for a player who faced ACC competition, often against stronger passing attacks than Benford saw in the FCS-level Colonial Athletic Association.

Dane Jackson (Pittsburgh) and Levi Wallace (Alabama) also posted solid-but-not-spectacular college stats, with Jackson recording 147 tackles and four interceptions over 47 games and Wallace totaling 94 tackles and five interceptions over 39 games. Like Strong, all three relied on instincts and technique rather than elite athleticism — a trait that translates well to Buffalo’s scheme.

Strong’s college tape reveals a quick, instinctive player with a competitive edge, though he lacks ideal foot speed or twitch. This mirrors Benford, who was lauded for his high football IQ and zone-coverage proficiency despite modest athletic measurables. Strong’s ability to read quarterbacks and break on passes aligns with the skills that allowed Benford, Jackson, and Wallace to exceed expectations as late-round picks.

Dorian Strong’s fit with Bills’ system: A zone-coverage match

Buffalo’s defensive system, McDermott’s zone-heavy scheme, emphasizes discipline, awareness, and tackling — qualities where Strong excels. Buffalo typically deploys a Cover 3 or Cover 4 base, requiring cornerbacks to maintain leverage, read routes, and limit yards after the catch.

Strong’s experience playing various coverages at Virginia Tech, as he noted in post-draft media sessions, has prepared him for this role. His instincts and ability to close on passes make him an ideal fit as a boundary corner in Buffalo’s scheme, where he can rely on positioning rather than elite speed.

Christian Benford has thrived in this system, earning an eighth-place ranking among cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus in 2023 with 51 tackles, 10 passes defensed, and two interceptions. His ability to play mistake-free football and tackle effectively (missing only one tackle in 2023) set a blueprint for Strong.

Similarly, Dane Jackson and Levi Wallace succeeded as zone corners who avoided costly errors and contributed on special teams. Strong’s special-teams experience across all five college seasons enhances his roster odds, as McDermott values versatility in depth players.

Replicating late-round success: A Bills tradition

The Bills have a proven track record of turning late-round or undrafted cornerbacks into contributors, making Strong’s situation ideal. Levi Wallace, an undrafted free agent in 2018, became a starter by his second season, leveraging his zone awareness and tackling to overcome modest athleticism.

Dane Jackson, a seventh-round pick in 2020, started opposite White in 2022 and, after an unsuccessful one-year stint with the Carolina Panthers, is back with the team as a reliable depth piece. Christian Benford, a sixth-rounder in 2022, outplayed first-round pick Kaiir Elam to secure a starting role as a rookie — and recently signed a four-year, $76 million extension in 2025.

These players share common traits: solid but not elite college production, strong instincts, and a knack for fitting Buffalo’s system. Strong’s profile aligns closely, particularly with Benford, as both are taller (Strong at 6’0”, Benford at 6’1”), leaner cornerbacks who excel in zone coverage and tackling. It’s easy to see this similarity on the tape, where Strong’s confidence and technique are noticeable.

In Buffalo, he will have opportunities to challenge Hairston from the get-go, with McDermott always making players “earn” their playing time. The Bills’ history of giving late-round rookies the same opportunities as their first- and second-round picks, combined with Strong’s tools, positions him to battle for playing time early.

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Moreover, Buffalo’s coaching staff, led by McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich, excels at maximizing late-round talent. Their emphasis on fundamentals and film study helped Benford, Jackson, and Wallace overcome draft status limitations.

Strong, a quick and instinctive player, is poised to benefit from this coaching, potentially fighting for playing time early, if not as the starter opposite Benford (look out, Mad Max), as a depth piece with White and Jackson.

Bills 2025 rookie minicamp: A promising start for Dorian Strong

Strong’s performance at rookie minicamp provided early evidence of his potential. Observers noted his “easy-to-see athleticism” and taller frame, which stood out despite his lean build.

First-round pick Maxwell Hairston singled out Strong as a standout, a significant endorsement given Hairston’s own pedigree. Media reports highlighted Strong’s fluid movement and competitiveness, suggesting he could contribute early as a depth piece and special-teams option.

This mirrors Benford’s rookie minicamp in 2022, where he began turning heads with his polish and awareness, eventually earning a starting role over Elam. Jackson and Wallace also used rookie minicamp to showcase their readiness, setting the stage for roster spots.

Strong’s early impression, coupled with his special-teams background, aligns with Buffalo’s valuation of versatile depth players. He already signed his four-year rookie contract and seems ready to compete.

Challenges and final thoughts

While Dorian Strong’s outlook is promising, challenges remain. His lean frame may require added strength to handle NFL physicality. Additionally, his lack of elite speed could limit any upside against faster receivers, and we saw last season that McDermott and Babich have been more willing to play man coverage more often than in the past.

Also, competing against established veterans and a first-round pick like Hairston won’t be easy. But the Bills’ depth at cornerback allows Strong to develop gradually, much like some of his predecessors.

Given Strong’s college production, fit in Buffalo’s scheme, alignment with the Bills’ history of late-round cornerback success, and strong rookie minicamp performance, it positions him to emulate Christian Benford, Jackson, and Wallace. Like them, the former Hokie brings instincts, tackling, and special-teams value, making him a high-upside depth piece with starter potential.

His chance of becoming the new Benford doesn’t mean Hairston has to be the new Elam, though. This, plus vets like White and Jackson looking for redemption back where they were successful in the past, could clog the path for Strong early in his career.

Regardless, the opportunities will be there. If he capitalizes on Buffalo’s coaching and development pipeline, Strong could become the next late-round steal for the Bills.

Catch up on all this and more with the latest edition of Leading the Charge!