Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - When the Buffalo Bills traded former second-round pick Boogie Basham to the New York Giants in 2023, they picked up a sixth-round draft choice in this year's draft in return.
The Bills ended up using that pick as part of their plan to bring in some competition at cornerback, selecting Dorian Strong from Virginia Tech.
Strong was one of three corners drafted by the Bills, joining first-round pick Maxwell Hairston and Jordan Hancock, who was chosen in the fifth round.
A native of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Strong didn't have to wait long to get on the field for the Hokies, starting five games as a true freshman in 2020.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Strong spent five seasons at Virginia Tech, playing in 53 games, 44 of those were starts. He left Blacksburg with 112 career tackles, 28 pass breakups and seven interceptions.
Strong was known for his coverage skills, especially his work in press man situations.
His best season came in 2023 when Strong was named a Third-Team All-ACC member. He recorded career-highs in tackles, passes defensed and interceptions. Over 13 games started that season, Strong gave up fewer than 10 receptions for less than 100 yards. He was just the second FBS corner to accomplish that since 2014.
Despite that success, Strong decided to return for his graduate season.
Strong, who ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in February, was one of the Bills' 30 pre-draft visits. Bills general manager Brandon Beane sees Strong playing mainly outside corner, but says he does have some nickel flexibility, which the coaches will check out during Organized Team Activities.
Strong told reporters he loves to play man to man coverage. When Beane was asked about that, he said he was glad to hear that, because it means Strong is a player that likes to mix it up and get in a receiver's face.
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Here is what Joe Marino from the "Locked On Bills" and "Locked on NFL Scouting" podcasts had to say about Strong:
Positives:
I think Dorian Strong is a technician, instinctive guy, good pattern recognition skills, comfortable in any coverage technique.
If you want to play him in press, off man, zone, he is very, very comfortable. An extremely experienced player coming out of Virginia Tech, eager to be physical. Strains and contests in everything that he does on the field.
When the ball is in the air, he shows a lot of comfort. When he's challenged, never panicking, a lot of calmness when targeted in coverage. Good tackler, good run support player, over 450 career special team snaps.
This is the guy I thought could go two or three rounds earlier.
Concerns:
You just wish he had a little bit more size, length and athleticism. I think that's the thing with Strong as he's really, really solid across the board, but he might not have a superpower.
I think that's what it comes down to. You just wish there was a little bit more physical upside, but there's a really high floor with how consistent he is at everything that he does.
The rookies will be in town for minicamp from May 9-11.