Bills Urged to Shift Gears in Secondary, Targeting Younger Cornerback to Replace Veteran Rasul Douglas

The Buffalo Bills’ defense has been a driving force behind their success in recent seasons, with the secondary playing a pivotal role in shutting down high-powered offenses. One of the major contributors to this success has been veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas, who was acquired at last season’s trade deadline and quickly became a key piece in Buffalo’s defensive scheme. However, as the Bills look to the future, questions are starting to arise about how long Douglas will be a part of the team—and whether it’s time for the Bills to target a younger, long-term solution at cornerback.

While Douglas has been solid for Buffalo this season, the team may need to start considering a move to secure its secondary for years to come. Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine suggested that the Bills should look to make a play for Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton, a free agent at the end of this season, as a potential future building block for their defense.

Rasul Douglas: The Reliable Veteran, But for How Long?

At 29 years old, Douglas has been one of the most consistent cornerbacks on the Bills’ roster this season. Starting all 11 games, he has racked up 44 total tackles, five passes defensed, and has continued to show leadership and poise in the secondary. His performance has helped solidify the Bills’ defense and made him a trusted asset in their playoff aspirations.

However, Ballentine raised the possibility that the Bills may need to start thinking about the future, especially with Douglas set to hit free agency. While Douglas has been productive, the fact that he’ll be 30 next season, combined with some noticeable regression in his play, could prompt the Bills to look for a more sustainable, long-term solution.

Kristian Fulton: The Younger, Potential Long-Term Solution

Enter Kristian Fulton, the 26-year-old cornerback for the Los Angeles Chargers, who is expected to hit the free-agent market after this season. Fulton, who previously played for the Tennessee Titans, has had an up-and-down career thus far, but he has shown significant promise since joining the Chargers. After struggling in 2023, Fulton has bounced back with solid play this year. Through eight games and seven starts, he has 18 tackles, one interception, and six passes defensed—numbers that suggest he could be a valuable asset for any defense looking for a younger cornerback with starting potential.

Fulton’s age and recent rebound make him an intriguing option for the Bills. At 26, he would give Buffalo a cornerback who is still entering his prime and could potentially provide years of service at a high level. With the Bills’ window for championship contention wide open, adding a younger piece like Fulton to the secondary could give them a long-term boost while also allowing them to keep up the pressure on quarterbacks in the short term.

Rasul Douglas Shines in Win Over Chiefs

Of course, the decision on whether to move on from Douglas won’t be an easy one for the Bills. His leadership and performance in Buffalo’s 30-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on November 17 showed why he remains a key piece of the defense. As Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic pointed out, both Douglas and fellow cornerback Christian Benford were instrumental in limiting the Chiefs’ wide receivers, making it more difficult for Patrick Mahomes to execute quick throws. The duo’s strong play forced Mahomes into scrambling situations, limiting Kansas City’s offensive rhythm and helping the Bills secure a crucial win.

“It forced Mahomes to get into scramble drills more often than maybe he would’ve liked, which created a crucial tenet for the Bills to master if they wanted to slow down the Chiefs,” Buscaglia wrote.

Douglas has certainly earned his place on the roster and his performance against the Chiefs underscored his importance to Buffalo’s success this season. But with his contract up at the end of the season, the Bills will have a decision to make.

The Bills’ Defensive Reinforcements Coming Soon

The potential addition of Fulton could be part of a larger defensive overhaul for Buffalo. With Pro Bowl linebacker Matt Milano nearing a return from a torn pectoral injury, the Bills’ defense is about to get even stronger. Milano, a key piece of Buffalo’s defense, is eligible to return from the injured reserve list, and rookie defensive tackle DeWayne Carter could also rejoin the lineup after his own stint on IR. Head coach Sean McDermott said the team is optimistic about the return of these players, although no definitive timeline has been set for their availability.

“We’ll see in terms of who’s healthy coming back off the bye,” McDermott said in a recent update. “This week the players that have been rehabbing are going to stay here and rehab and try and get themselves back to where they’re an option for us next week.”

With these reinforcements on the way, the Bills will look to strengthen their defense for the stretch run. However, when the season ends, the front office will need to determine if they want to bring back Rasul Douglas for another year—or make a move for a younger, high-upside corner like Fulton to build around for the future.

Conclusion: Bills’ Cornerback Future in Play

While Rasul Douglas has been a valuable contributor to the Bills’ defense in 2024, his future with the team is uncertain. With his impending free agency and potential regression on the horizon, the Bills may begin looking toward younger options in the secondary. Kristian Fulton, who could be available this offseason, is a promising candidate to fill that role and give the Bills a long-term solution at cornerback.

As the season progresses, the Bills will have tough decisions to make—decisions that could shape the future of their defense for years to come. For now, though, the focus is on making a playoff run, and with a defense that continues to improve, the Bills are well-positioned to contend with or without Douglas in the long term.