Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford is scoring touchdowns and locking down opponents, and he's quietly having a season that could lead him to become an All-Pro.
Christian Benford is quietly putting together one of the more remarkable stretches by a Bills defensive back in recent memory, even as Buffalo’s defense continues to battle inconsistency around him. While the spotlight often shines on bigger names across the NFL, Benford is forcing his way into the conversation with strong production.
Just a week after scoring his first career touchdown on a scoop-and-score and holding Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf to just three catches for 35 yards, Benford somehow elevated his game even further. Against Cincinnati, he delivered his first pick-six, becoming the first defensive player in Bills history to score touchdowns in back-to-back games. The moment was big, but the matchup that followed was bigger: Ja'Marr Chase, one of the best receivers in the league.
The result? Pure lockdown. In sixteen snaps lined up across from Chase, Benford was targeted just twice and allowed zero catches. While Chase has made a career out of punishing top corners with his strength, speed, and route precision, Benford seemingly erased him from the game plan. That focus inevitably left room for Tee Higgins to make plays, including a one-handed touchdown grab late in the game while covered by Tre'Davious White, but it didn’t take away from the level at which Benford performed.
Even with the defense being up and down as a whole, Benford continues to stand out as one of the few stabilizing forces on the field. His play has validated the contract extension he earned and has him looking like one of the league’s least talked-about elite cornerbacks. His Pro Football Focus grade of 90—far above the league-average mark of 60—only reinforces what the film shows: he is playing at an exceptionally high level.
And the challenges won’t get easier. Benford is set to face receivers like AJ Brown, Jerry Jeudy, and a stretch of offenses that will test even the most seasoned cornerbacks. Yet the Bills are relying on him to anchor the back end, especially with the front seven dealing with its own issues and the offense shouldering a heavy load.
If Benford continues this level of production through the final stretch of the season, there’s a real chance he could force his name into the All-Pro conversation. For a player who entered the year largely overlooked, his emergence is becoming one of the Bills’ most important developments.