Bills predicted to replace Rasul Douglas with former $40 million Pro Bowler

The Buffalo Bills were recently predicted to add a former Pro Bowler in free agency who would be an adequate replacement for Rasul Douglas.

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane. | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Bills are reloading to make another run at the Super Bowl in 2025, but they're going to have a tough time getting past arch-nemesis Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs if they don't address one of their boundary cornerback spots.

The Bills are in great shape on one side with Christian Benford, who was rewarded with a huge extension this offseason. But the team has yet to replace Rasul Douglas, who remains available on the open market.

As it continues to look like Douglas won't be brought back, Pro Football & Sports Network's Mark Stolte believes Buffalo will opt to replace Douglas with former Minnesota Vikings cornerback, Shaquill Griffin.

"The Buffalo Bills struggled heavily last season in the defensive backfield," Stolte wrote. Both Christian Benford and Taron Johnson are really good players, but the play falls off a cliff after that. Johnson played 67.5% of his snaps from the slot, whereas Benford played 89% of his from out wide. This means the Bills need to target a reliable veteran corner who plays primarily out wide. With only five million left in cap space (second-least), you unfortunately can’t turn to someone like James Bradberry IV. With a current APY of just under $4.5 million, Shaquill Griffin is a solid Buffalo free agent candidate. Griffin was a well-above-average (46th/222) run defender and average in coverage. Pairing him with a corner in the draft would do the trick of shoring up a glaring weakness for the Bills."

A former third-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks, Griffin became one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL during his time there. He was a Pro Bowler in 2019 and eventually landed a $40 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Shaquill Griffin (1) celebrates his interception against the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. | Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Unfortunately for Griffin, he wasn't able to recapture the glory of his 2019 campaign in the years that followed, but he did see a resurgence of sorts with the Vikings in 2024.

RELATED: Bills host pre-draft visit for Notre Dame captain with potential to fill lineup void

Griffin posted the best coverage numbers of his career last year, giving up a completion rate of 54.4% and a passer rating of 75.8. Granted, he played a part-time role (50% of snaps), but those numbers are vastly superior to Douglas' and Dane Jackson's, Buffalo's free-agent addition who is currently slated to start.

Griffin only made $4.5 million with the Vikings last season, and even if his price goes up slightly, the cap-strapped Bills should have no issue fitting him in, which makes him an even better fit.

While Griffin isn't likely to offer a long-term solution at the position as he prepares to turn 30, he'd be a strong bridge option until the Bills figure something out for the long haul, which they could do during the 2025 NFL draft.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) is unable to reel in a ball while being covered by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Shaquill Griffin (1) during the fourth quarter of their game Sunday, December 29, 2024 | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

—  Enjoy free coverage of the Bills from Buffalo Bills on SI  —

More Buffalo Bills News:

• Revisiting Buffalo Bills' best draft class ever exactly 40 years ago

• Bills new $2 billion stadium will include NFL rarity

• All-American linebacker 'balled out' at Bills local pro day

• Bills can't repeat 2024 NFL Draft mishap in Green Bay

• Bills making serious push to bring future NFL Draft to new Highmark Stadium