After allowing Nate Clements sign elsewhere this spring, the Bills felt a veteran void at cornerback heading towards training camp.  This prompted the addition of former Falcon Jason Webster last week. 

Terrence McGee is established at one starting spot.  But the loss of Clements left a hole on the other side.  The Bills drafted Ashton Youboty last spring with the idea of stepping in the starting lineup once Clements departed after the 2006 season.  But Youboty missed most of training camp last summer due to the passing of his mother and fell behind in learning the defense and how to play cornerback at the NFL level. 

Enter Webster as insurance.  Webster has plenty of starting experience as a buffer if Youboty doesn’t develop quickly this summer.  He displays good recognition skills as a cover-2 guy and isn’t afraid to tackle, but lacks size and has a track record of getting nicked up too easily. 

Youboty has shown a lot of positive signs.  He displays a strong work ethic and good approach at this stage of his development.  Youboty has natural athletic ability and ball skills to match up against most receivers.  There’s no question that Youboty will develop into a very solid starter once he masters his techniques.  Overall, the Bills must hope Youboty seizes the starting job entering the season if their defense is going to build off last season’s development.  Although Webster possesses experience, he lacks the upside to lift their defense to another level.  Youboty is being counted on to help the Bills create more turnovers in the secondary this season. 

The Bills round off the depth chart with Kiwaukee Thomas and Jabari Greer.   Greer and Thomas are good effort players.  Thomas particularly did a decent job working out of the slot last season with his toughness and quick feet.