The Buffalo Bills are looking for more consistency from their secondary, and rookie cornerback Davison Igbinosun is earning a larger role as the defense looks to improve after its first six games.
Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard confirmed that Igbinosun has earned a significant share of the team's snaps at cornerback following his performances over the past couple of weeks. It's a notable endorsement for the rookie, who has continued to get opportunities despite some of the growing pains that come with playing the position in the NFL.
“What he's done the last couple weeks, he's definitely earned a high majority of the snaps at the corner position,” Leonhard said.
Leonhard likes Igbinosun's confidence and willingness to challenge opposing receivers. However, the rookie still needs to improve his technique and avoid the penalties that can put Buffalo in difficult situations.
That balance will be important as the Bills look to clean up a defense that hasn't consistently finished drives. Leonhard said Buffalo ranked 31st in the NFL in penalties, making discipline one of the unit's biggest areas for improvement. While they aren't that bad---Buffalo ranks 27th in both penalties and penalty yards per game---the point still stands for the team.
Igbinosun's aggressive approach can help him compete with receivers, but he needs to make sure that aggression doesn't lead to avoidable flags. He had two penalties against the Raiders that extended drives that resulted in points for Las Vegas. The Bills need their cornerbacks to challenge opposing offenses without giving quarterbacks and receivers free opportunities to move the chains.
The rookie's development also comes as Leonhard looks for better communication and execution across the secondary. Buffalo has generated pressure on opposing quarterbacks, but coverage breakdowns and quick throws have made it difficult for the pass rush to consistently turn that pressure into stops.
Improving those areas will be a priority during the Bills' bye week. At 5-1, Buffalo has built a strong record through its first six games, but the defensive coordinator has acknowledged that the unit needs to perform better, particularly when it comes to closing out games.
Igbinosun has given the coaching staff a reason to continue trusting him with a substantial workload over second-year corner Maxwell Hairston. Now, the focus is on making sure his technique catches up with his confidence so he can maintain that role without the penalties.
The Bills have time to evaluate their options before returning to action against Baltimore. For Igbinosun, the message from Leonhard is encouraging: He's earned his opportunities, and what he does with them over the second half of the season could be important for Buffalo's secondary.