Buffalo Bills Projected to Replace Tre White With 'Tough' SEC Defensive Back

Orchard Park, N.Y. — As the Buffalo Bills brace for the possibility of veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White entering free agency, one SEC standout has emerged in league circles as a potential heir to his boundary throne.

South Carolina’s Brandon Cisse, a 6-foot, 189-pound senior, is gaining traction among draft analysts as a logical fit for a Bills secondary that could be reshaped this spring. A recent FOX Sports Research mock draft slotted Cisse to Buffalo, citing the corner’s physicality and production against the pass.

“Cisse is a tough corner who isn’t afraid to tackle and has 10 passes defended over the past two seasons, and he gave up just 18 receptions and one TD in 2025,” the report noted. “He’d be a good replacement to a 31-year-old Tre’Davious White in Buffalo’s secondary.”

The Gamecock’s résumé extends beyond coverage numbers. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein praised Cisse’s willingness in run support, writing that the defender “supports the run like a box safety” and “beats blockers with quickness and meets runners at or near the line.” That mentality aligns with the vision new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard is expected to implement—an aggressive, attack-oriented approach that values sure tacklers on the perimeter.

Should White depart, the Bills would lean on Christian Benford and 2025 breakout Maxwell Hairston as their starting tandem, leaving a need for reliable depth and competition. Cisse’s combination of length, athleticism, and downhill aggression could slot him immediately into the rotation while he develops the nuances of man and zone concepts at the pro level.

Retaining White remains an option after the nine-year pro delivered one of his most efficient seasons in 2025. According to Next Gen Stats, White surrendered only 0.6 yards per coverage snap—third-lowest among outside corners—while recording 10 passes defensed and limiting opponents to a 66.3 passer rating when targeted, his best mark since 2021.

Still, age and contract economics could push the front office toward a younger, cost-controlled alternative. If the Bills choose to move on, Cisse’s “tough-as-nails” profile offers both immediate special-teams value and long-term upside as a potential starter opposite Benford.

Buffalo owns eight draft picks this April, providing ample capital to add competition at cornerback. Whether it is Cisse or another prospect, the franchise’s decision at the position will set the tone for Leonhard’s first secondary rebuild in Western New York.