Fansided

Dee Milliner: 3 potential landing spots

By Matt Kerns

Dec 8, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) is unable to catch a pass while defended by New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner (27) during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) is unable to catch a pass while defended by New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner (27) during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 20, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan during the second half against the New York Giants at New Era Field. Bills beat the Giants 21 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan during the second half against the New York Giants at New Era Field. Bills beat the Giants 21 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Buffalo Bills

Unlike Cleveland, Buffalo has a stable of high-quality cornerbacks, including Stephon Gilmore, Ronald Darby, and nickel corner Nickell (no pun intended) Roby. All three are players head coach Rex Ryan can shuffle around to his pleasure. But Milliner spent two full seasons with Ryan in New York. He runs a nearly identical scheme as he did in New York, but this time around he’ll be sure to put Milliner in a spot that suits him the best, and not just implementing players into a scheme.

Buffalo seems fitting, as Ryan can never have too many cornerbacks on his hands. In the summer of 2013, Milliner showed enough throughout training camp for Ryan to insert him into the starting corner spot opposite Antonio Cromartie.

In hindsight, this was obviously a premature move as Milliner struggled to get his foot in the door in the early months of the 2013 season. He spent his rookie year covering teams second and sometimes even number one receivers, a tall task for a rookie corner. Cornerback is regarded as the second or third toughest position to adjust to in the NFL, behind quarterback and offensive tackle. Milliner started in 12 games his rookie year, only to go on to start two more in 2014, and 2015 combined.

Milliner picked up his play and earned rookie of the month in December of 2013. Against the Browns in his rookie year, he did a good job slowing down Josh Gordon (an All-Pro in 2013) as Milliner had six pass break-ups and an interception. The thought at the time was Milliner would develop into the Jets number one corner and would be the blueprint to the team’s success. While this certainly wasn’t the case, Milliner could earn another shot with the Bills.

Ryan isn’t shy on picking up former Jets and he knows the potential that Milliner has. Milliner is just 24 years old and has plenty of football left in him. Ryan likes aggressive, physical play on the defensive side of the ball, particularly in his corners. Milliner can bring that to this team, that will try and slow down Tom Brady and the New England Patriots once again.

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