Cornerback returns to Buffalo Bills after a season with Carolina Panthers
ORCHARD PARK - As the first week of free agency moves on, the one glaring need still remaining on the Buffalo Bills roster is depth at cornerback.
Friday, the Bills dipped into their past to sign Dane Jackson who spent last season with the Panthers after playing the previous four for Buffalo.
However, this is merely a move to make sure the Bills have a veteran who knows this system to battle for a backup job. Christian Benford is locked in as one starter, and the Bills absolutely need to either sign a starting-level veteran free agent, or spend either a first- or second-round draft pick.
In fact, they should do both.
Dane Jackson was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2020
Jackson was a seventh-round draft pick in 2020 who made the team and played in five games as a rookie, starting two.
He earned more playing time over the next two seasons, starting six of 17 games in 2021, and then became a full-time starter in 2022 when he started 14 of the 15 games he dressed for. That was because rookie first-round pick Kaiir Elam could not beat him out.
Jackson was still starting for the Bills in 2023, but once they obtained Rasul Douglas in a midseason trade, Jackson went into a reserve role.
He left Buffalo to sign a free agent with the Panthers, a two-year, $8.5 contract, but he didn't play well, started only three of the nine games he played, and they released him in order to save $3.35 million on the cap.
Once he was back on the market, it almost felt inevitable that the Bills would reach out, and now they have.
Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for four decades including 35 years as the full-time beat writer 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. Sign up for his Bills Blast newsletter here: https://profile.democratandchronicle.com/newsletters/bills-blast
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Dane Jackson signed by Buffalo Bills, returns to team that drafted him
Topics
-
Bills release LB Von Miller, QB Sam Darnold will not return to Vikings for 2025 season 'Up To The Minute'
NFL Network's Taylor Bisciotti details the latest behind the Buffalo Bills releasing linebacker Von Miller and that quarterback Sam Darnold is not expected to return for the Minnesota Vikings.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Defender Casey Toohill leaves Buffalo Bills after one season
Toohill has a new home:Yahoo Sports - 3h -
Two key Buffalo Bills free agent signings suspended for violating NFL PED policy
The Buffalo Bills won't have two of their newest defensive players to start the NFL season.Yahoo Sports - 2h -
Former Buffalo Bills punter Sam Martin finds new home after release
Sam Martin has landed on his feet, post-Bills:Yahoo Sports - 4h -
Bills QB Josh Allen says he wants to spend his entire career in Buffalo: 'This is home to me'
Fresh off an MVP season and a record-setting extension, Allen said that he'll 'hopefully' stay with the Bills until he retires.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Bruins trade longtime star Brad Marchand to Panthers after 16 seasons with Boston
Bruins fans might wince at their team captain going to the Panthers, who have eliminated Boston from the past two Stanley Cup playoffs.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 7 -
Bills trade CB Kaiir Elam to the Cowboys
The Cowboys needed cornerback help with slot corner Jourdan Lewis signing with the Jaguars and outside corner Trevon Diggs' 2025 season in doubt after left knee surgery Jan. 23.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
2025 NFL draft: List of Bills selections after comp picks are awarded, Kaiir Elam tradde
An updated view of the Buffalo Bills draft picks for the 2025 NFL Draft next month following the trade of Kaiir Elam.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Saints add cornerback Isaac Yiadom, tight end Jack Stoll and lineman Will Clapp in free agency
The New Orleans Saints have signed cornerback Isaac Yiadom, tight end Jack Stoll and offensive lineman Will Clapp to free agent contracts, the club announced Thursday. Yiadom, who played for San ...Yahoo Sports - 23h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Cooper Kupp to sign with Seattle Seahawks after Rams release, per report
The Rams released Cooper Kupp at the start of the new league year. He didn't last long on the free agent market as he joined the Seahawks.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
House and Jacksonville State defeat Middle Tennessee 70-68 in Conference USA Tournament semifinals
Yahoo Sports - 20m -
Justin Thomas threatens course record Friday at Players Championship, settles for 62
Thomas drained a 19-foot birdie putt at the 17th, the longest putt he made all day, and lifted his putter in celebration as it just tumbled in.Yahoo Sports - 21m -
2025 NFL Free Agency: WR Cooper Kupp agrees to three-year, 45 million with Seahawks
Kupp, a Yakima, WA native, is returning to his home state, days after being released by the Rams.Yahoo Sports - 21m -
State Champions: Braydon Caraballo, Nate Lambert, Nate Baker and Dom DeAngelo rewrite the record books on the way to winning 4x200 relay
PLATTSBURGH — By now you’ve heard the story of the Plattsburgh High boys 4x200 relay team. You know how they captured the NYSPHSAA State Championship, Saturday, at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in ...Yahoo Sports - 21m
More in Sports
-
Cooper Kupp to sign with Seattle Seahawks after Rams release, per report
The Rams released Cooper Kupp at the start of the new league year. He didn't last long on the free agent market as he joined the Seahawks.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Princeton vs. Yale odds, prediction, time: 2025 Ivy League Tournament semifinal picks, bets from proven model
SportsLine's model revealed its college basketball predictions for Yale Bulldogs vs. Princeton Tigers on Saturday in the 2025 Ivy League Tournament semifinalsCBS Sports - 17m -
Cooper Kupp signing with Seahawks: Former Rams star WR joining Seattle on three-year, $45M deal, per report
Kupp is taking his talents to SeattleCBS Sports - 19m -
Bruno hits back at Ratcliffe's 'overpaid' comments
Bruno Fernandes has hit back at Sir Jim Ratcliffe's suggestion that some Manchester United players are overpaid by telling the British billionaire "the club agrees to do the contracts."ESPN - 19m -
House and Jacksonville State defeat Middle Tennessee 70-68 in Conference USA Tournament semifinals
Yahoo Sports - 20m