Bills veteran Rasul Douglas has about 2 third-year cornerbacks

Veteran Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas holds two of his particular position mates in high regard.

Traded from the Green Bay Packers midway through the 2023 season, Douglas became an immediate starter opposite Christian Benford. Quickly forming a formidable duo, Douglas and Benford put forth a defensive effort that held their opponents to 18 total touchdowns in 17 games.

“CB, that’s my guy, man,” Douglas said after minicamp practice at Orchard Park. “He’s my guy. I like the way he comes to work every day. He plays hard. He’s practiced hard. He talks to you and lets you know what he sees from his perspective and what that you see. You kind of exchange ideas with each other.”

The on-field relationship between the two blossomed into friendship.

“Honestly, CB and I, even during the whole offseason, we probably call each other every other day. Let’s just talk about ball and family because he has a son like I have a son,” said Douglas, 28 years.

Due to a personal matter, Benford received an excused absence from the Bills’ three-day minicamp. In his absence, former first-round pick Kaiir Elam, who was banged up when Douglas arrived last year, stepped in and made several plays this week.

“I didn’t really see him much last year. But he looks good now, man,” Douglas said. “Sticky. He always looks big, fast. I think he’s in a good position this year. He looks great. I can’t say what he did last year; I don’t know not really. This year he looks great.”

Benford, a sixth-round pick, beat out Elam for a starting job as a rookie in 2022. Although the latter has had his share of struggles, both men are trending upward heading into the third year and Douglas was among the first to notice it.