Buffalo Bills bring back cornerback E.J. Gaines
By James Reeve
The Buffalo Bills continue to bolster their roster, announcing the free agent signing of cornerback E.J. Gaines – bringing him back for a second spell.
E.J. Gaines returns to the Buffalo Bills for a second stint after spending the 2018 season with the Cleveland Browns.
The Bills last had the 5-foot-10, 191lb cornerback on their roster during the 2017 season – the first under current head coach Sean McDermott.
Gaines joined the Bills in the trade that also saw the Bills pick up a 2018 second-round draft pick in exchange for wide receiver Sammy Watkins and a 2018 sixth-round draft pick.
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During the 2017 season, Gaines had one interception, nine pass defences, three forced fumbles and 59 combined tackles (48 solo).
After leaving Upstate New York, Gaines took his talents to the upwards-trending Browns but failed to impress in just six regular-season appearances, which included just two starts after he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending concussion.
In those six appearances, Gaines had one interception, three pass defences and 13 combined tackles (11 solo).
Gaines, a sixth-round (188th overall) selection by the then-St. Lous Rams in the 2014 draft, has so far played for three different teams in the NFL.
The 27-year-old will now compete with the likes of Kevin Johnson for a starting position on the Bills’ defensive roster, with Tre’Davious White locked into the other starting cornerback role.
The Bills have been the most active team in free agency in 2019, with general manager Brandon Beane determined to get this team back into the playoffs.
The draft is one month away and the Bills currently have very few holes to fill thanks to such an aggressive free agency period – with the long-term replacement of Kyle Williams now seen as the biggest need.
The Bills’ defence had a decent season in 2018 and will be expected to play at a similar level in 2019 with very few changes to the roster to date.
Having Gaines back in the fold will be a boost for the Bills and could see some healthy competition develop between the players sitting behind White on the depth chart.
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What do you think Bills mafia? Are you pleased to see Gaines return to the Bills after a season away in Cleveland? Which area should the team address in the draft next month? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!