The addition of Stephon Gilmore with the 10th overall pick in the draft has pushed another defensive back off the Buffalo roster.
A league source told PFT that the Bills have released cornerback Drayton Florence. Florence started every game over the last two seasons and 45 games in his three years with the Bills. Like most members of the Buffalo secondary, Florence didn’t have a very good season in 2011 but it wasn’t widely assumed that he’d lose his job in the roster cruch created by the drafting of Gilmore and Ron Brooks.
The Bills figure to keep six cornerbacks. Gilmore, Brooks and Aaron Williams are sure things with Terrence McGee likely to stay if he’s healthy enough. Florence’s departure would seem to be good news for Leodis McKelvin’s roster spot and Justin Rogers is also on the roster.
Florence was due to make $4 million this season, a number that likely contributed to the choice to move in a different direction. At 31, his best days are likely behind him but he should get another look this offseason in a league that can’t find enough cornerbacks.