Rd 6 pick 185 (6): CB Christian Benford, Villanova

[Saxum]

Villanova has had a number of players in NFL since 1930s; maybe earlier since there were players from there in 1920s.

 

Villanova Players/Alumni

Players: 87 pro players

Drafted: 86 players

Top AV: Howie Long (95)

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/villanova/index.htm

 

5 players were picked by AFL.  Al Atkinson was drafted by Bills in 3rd, attempted to remade into LB (Bills had no LB Coach) and then waived before season started.  He was picked up by JEST.

https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/where-are-they-now-al-atkinson

  On 4/30/2022 at 11:02 PM, RocCityRoller said:

I could see Benford replacing Jones, and Bernard replacing Matakevich. Big cap savings for next year.

Expand  

 

Bernard is not replacing Matakevich.

[RocCityRoller]

  On 5/1/2022 at 12:21 AM, Limeaid said:

Villanova has had a number of players in NFL since 1930s; maybe earlier since there were players from there in 1920s.

 

Villanova Players/Alumni

Players: 87 pro players

Drafted: 86 players

Top AV: Howie Long (95)

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/villanova/index.htm

 

5 players were picked by AFL.  Al Atkinson was drafted by Bills in 3rd, attempted to remade into LB (Bills had no LB Coach) and then waived before season started.  He was picked up by JEST.

https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/where-are-they-now-al-atkinson

 

Bernard is not replacing Matakevich.

Expand  

 

Bernard is probably not displacing Milano or Edmunds this year. Where do you play him and get value?

Answer = Special Teams

 

Matakevich: 6'1" 235, 4.81 40, 4.5 20 yd shuttle, NFL.com grade 5.8, 10 TAK, 1 INT,

Bernard: 6'1" 224, 4.59 40 (P), 4.25 20 yd shuttle, NFL.com grade 5.94

 

Cutting Matakevich after June 1st is a $2.5 Million savings against the cap they can roll over to next year.

Matakevich is 29, Bernard is 22.

 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

Wondering if we are developing the next generation of safeties in Damar Hamlin and now Benford. 
 

Benford just screams safety to me. Big, good tackler, and great coverage instincts. 

[CNYfan]

  On 4/30/2022 at 8:48 PM, freddyjj said:

Likely transition to safety as alternative to Poyer and Hyde.  

Expand  

This fellow appears to my untrained eye to be more athletic and stronger than Damir.    

Maybe I am wrong, but that is how it looks. 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

Just listened to Beane, and he said he played corner, safety, and nickel at Villanova. So there are definitely options with him. 

[purple haze]

  On 4/30/2022 at 8:18 PM, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

wow— for real? I had no idea. I sort of lumped Villanova in with UConn— elite bball school, but sort of non-existent or start-up football program.

Expand  

Brian Westbrook went there too.

[JerseyBills]

  On 5/1/2022 at 12:21 AM, Limeaid said:

Villanova has had a number of players in NFL since 1930s; maybe earlier since there were players from there in 1920s.

 

Villanova Players/Alumni

Players: 87 pro players

Drafted: 86 players

Top AV: Howie Long (95)

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/villanova/index.htm

 

5 players were picked by AFL.  Al Atkinson was drafted by Bills in 3rd, attempted to remade into LB (Bills had no LB Coach) and then waived before season started.  He was picked up by JEST.

https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/where-are-they-now-al-atkinson

 

Bernard is not replacing Matakevich.

Expand  

Right. He's replacing AJ Klein

[Prospector]

  On 5/1/2022 at 12:21 AM, Limeaid said:

Villanova has had a number of players in NFL since 1930s; maybe earlier since there were players from there in 1920s.

 

Villanova Players/Alumni

Players: 87 pro players

Drafted: 86 players

Top AV: Howie Long (95)

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/villanova/index.htm

 

5 players were picked by AFL.  Al Atkinson was drafted by Bills in 3rd, attempted to remade into LB (Bills had no LB Coach) and then waived before season started.  He was picked up by JEST.

https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/where-are-they-now-al-atkinson

 

Bernard is not replacing Matakevich.

Expand  

Maybe he replaces you, just kidding... but I like his skill set

[John from Riverside]

  On 4/30/2022 at 7:57 PM, PayDaBill$ said:

Who? 6th round pick with 7th value.👀

Expand  

The best thing about the draft being over is screen names like yours will melt away

  On 4/30/2022 at 7:59 PM, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

Did not realize Villanova had a football team! 

Expand  

Yep they have uniforms and everything

  On 4/30/2022 at 8:01 PM, Buffalo Barbarian said:

We like our slow corners

 

 

Expand  

Yep....that is why Elam is such a surprise you know?

[YoloinOhio]

He was DJ’s player 145th top player

 

 

[Charles Romes]

  On 4/30/2022 at 8:20 PM, CapeBreton said:

Since he’s not a big name, maybe we can stash him on the practice squad without him getting sniped? unlike everyone else we draft that doesn’t make the team. 

Expand  

 It’s impossible to “hide” a McDermott developmental DB. That’s the first place you look for a cheap serviceable DB now. 

[pennstate10]

  On 4/30/2022 at 8:59 PM, Big Turk said:

 

Wasn't aware Elam at 4.39 was slow...he is faster than Tre.

 

Also since one tenth of a second is approximately 2 inches difference in a 40 yard dash, perhaps they feel his height and long arms make up that difference?

Expand  

Basic arithmetic indicates that 0.1 sec is about 1 yd in a 40

[Big Turk]

  On 5/1/2022 at 8:14 PM, pennstate10 said:

Basic arithmetic indicates that 0.1 sec is about 1 yd in a 40

Expand  

 

How often does a player run 40 yards?  The DB is also ahead of the WR at the start so he would have to make up that distance.  In the NFL it's considered roughly 2 inches when you factor in arm length, etc.

[pennstate10]

  On 5/1/2022 at 8:50 PM, Big Turk said:

 

How often does a player run 40 yards?  The DB is also ahead of the WR at the start so he would have to make up that distance.  In the NFL it's considered roughly 2 inches when you factor in arm length, etc.

Expand  

 

sorry dude, you have no idea what you’re talking about. 
 

A tenth of a sec in the 40 is worth 2 inches?  Where does that math come from. Got any links?

 

Didnt think so. 

[Buf4alo]

Something pretty interesting about Benford is that he's a couple weeks younger than both Ahmad Gardner and Trent McDuffie. However, he played 4 season of college ball to their 3. In other words, while those guys were seniors in highschool, Benford was playing college football as a true freshman.  He had 4 interceptions that year, while being one of the youngest players in the country. 

 

He's still only 21.  There is a lot of potential to work with.  Let's see how the Bills continue to develop him.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

  On 5/1/2022 at 9:16 PM, pennstate10 said:

 

sorry dude, you have no idea what you’re talking about. 
 

A tenth of a sec in the 40 is worth 2 inches?  Where does that math come from. Got any links?

 

Didnt think so. 

Expand  

 

nice t!t$

 

[MrEpsYtown]

Benford’s numbers are very similar to Micah Hyde’s coming out. But I think you see what he can do corner wise before you move him to safety, but this guy seems like a very interesting player. 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

  On 5/2/2022 at 1:13 AM, MrEpsYtown said:

Benford’s numbers are very similar to Micah Hyde’s coming out. But I think you see what he can do corner wise before you move him to safety, but this guy seems like a very interesting player. 

Expand  

Beane said in his presser that the plan is to start him with the corners, since it is always easier to transition over to safety. 

[dollars 2 donuts]

"My favorite pick of the draft!", said somebody about somebody who I didn't even know about before. 

[The Dean]

  On 5/2/2022 at 12:39 PM, dollars 2 donuts said:

"My favorite pick of the draft!", said somebody about somebody who I didn't even know about before. 

Expand  

 

🤣

 

Or the equally popular, "I've never heard of him. Reach!"