Which defensive player has most at stake during Buffalo Bills OTAs?

With new faces on the Bills' defense, there will be roster spots on the line even for some of the more experienced players from last year's team.

Christian Benford, Buffalo Bills | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Bills' defense has seen some changes to the roster as they try to build themselves up for an eventual showdown in the playoffs against either the Baltimore Ravens or the Kansas City Chiefs.

They went to work with adding defensive linemen Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht, and Larry Ogunjobi in free agency. Buffalo also signed defensive backs Dane Jackson and Tre'Davious White.

Their 2025 NFL Draft was even busier as they selected defensive players with their first five selections. The Bills' first-round pick went to the speedy Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston to potentially fill in as the starter alongside Christian Benford.

Maxwell Hairston, Buffalo Bills | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Buffalo's secondary is crowded with Benford, Hairston, and Taron Johnson as the projected starting cornerbacks. Jackson and White certainly overcomplicate the cornerback position with few roster spots available.

One player in the secondary who will take the biggest hit with all the veterans and top picks there is Ja'Marcus Ingram, who has been on the team for three years. With injuries, Ingram took on a bigger role last year, playing in all 17 regular-season games and racking up 24 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and a pick-six.

RELATED: Which offensive player has most at stake during Buffalo Bills OTAs?

It gets even more challenging for Ingram as Hairston was not the only cornerback the Bills selected in the NFL Draft. Sixth round pick Dorian Strong will also be fighting for a roster spot in the secondary with Ingram being his biggest competitor.

Ja'Marcus Ingram, Buffalo Bills | Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

The pressure is on Ingram, who, according to Pro Football Focus, was the 134th best cornerback in the NFL among 222 of them in 2024 with a grade of 58.6. His coverage skills left some to be desired, but he plays well against the run and has been a playmaker, taking chances to create turnovers.

Ingram will have an even steeper hill to climb to make the roster than last season, making these OTAs and training camp the most important of his career.

Ja'Marcus Ingram, Buffalo Bills | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

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

More Buffalo Bills News:

• Buffalo Bills' Top 3 boom-or-bust candidates in 2025

• Predicting every Bills' primetime game on 2025 NFL schedule

• Buffalo Bills' best and worst offseason decisions in 2025

• 3 Bills facing make-or-break seasons in 2025

• Bills' GM Brandon Beane explains draft strategy on Rich Eisen Show