Christian Benford’s Rise from Student to Shutdown Corner Comes Full Circle Against Stefon Diggs
ORCHARD PARK - When Stefon Diggs lined up across from Christian Benford in practice during their time together in Buffalo, it was a daily masterclass for the young corner. Fast forward to now, and Benford isn’t just applying those lessons-he’s thriving because of them.
Back then, Benford was a rookie trying to figure out how elite receivers operate. Diggs, already a polished route technician, became a sort of unofficial tutor. The two competed hard, and even in the heat of games, Diggs would offer insights from the sideline-small details, subtle cues, things that helped shape Benford’s understanding of the position.
“I was young and just understanding like different receivers, how they run their routes, how they will beat certain types of DBs,” Benford said. “Even sometimes during the game he would say something; I would look to the sideline and he would say something. We would compete, and he taught me a lot about ball.”
That education is paying off in a big way. Benford has quietly developed into one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks, and over the past month, it’s fair to say he’s been playing at an All-Pro level-if not the best at his position.
Take the 2024 matchup in Houston, for example. Diggs had a productive day on the stat sheet-six catches for 82 yards-but none of those came against Benford, according to Pro Football Focus. Then earlier this season, when Diggs returned to Buffalo wearing Patriots colors and torched the Bills for 10 catches and 146 yards, Benford was charged with just one 10-yard reception.
The Patriots clearly knew what they were up against. They moved Diggs all over the formation-slot, wide left, wide right-trying to shake Benford. That strategy may not work as well this time around.
Since that game, the Bills have changed things up. They’re now deploying Benford as a shadow corner, matching him up with the opponent’s top weapon.
And the results? Nothing short of elite.
Benford has clamped down on a murderers’ row of receivers: Tet McMillan (Panthers), Emeka Egbuka (Bucs), Nico Collins (Texans), DK Metcalf (Steelers), and most recently, Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals).
Against Chase, Benford didn’t just hold his own-he dominated. Chase caught five passes for 44 yards, but none came with Benford in primary coverage.
And when Joe Burrow tried to sneak a hot read to Chase late in the game, Benford jumped the route, picked it clean, and took it 63 yards to the house. It was his second defensive touchdown in as many games, making him the first player in Bills history to do so.
That kind of impact doesn’t go unnoticed.
“He is very, very committed to the process,” head coach Sean McDermott said. “He doesn’t say much, but he’s focused.
It’s been a joy to watch him get more and more comfortable in this position-not just in the pass game, but the run game too. He’s making plays all over the field.”
Benford’s breakout earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against Pittsburgh, where he notched an interception, a tackle for loss, and returned a fumble for a touchdown. And honestly, he could’ve won it again the following week.
“He’s just a pro and wants to be really good,” said defensive coordinator Bobby Babich. “He works at it, and it’s just who CB is. If you were to tell me, ‘Hey, he’s gonna have a couple defensive touchdowns,’ wouldn’t shock me.”
That’s high praise for a sixth-round pick who’s gone from depth chart afterthought to defensive centerpiece. And now, he faces the ultimate test: lining up once again across from the man who helped mold him.
Diggs, for his part, hasn’t lost a step. He’s become a key figure in New England’s offense, helping second-year quarterback Drake Maye find his footing.
Just like he did with Josh Allen in Buffalo back in 2020, Diggs is giving his young QB a reliable, dynamic target. So far this season, he’s pulled in 64 catches for 705 yards and three touchdowns.
“When you look at his makeup and character, I think that there’s an energy and a competitive spirit to Stef,” said Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. “To play in this league at any position and be successful, you obviously have to have a skillset, but I do think that he is competitive, and I think that’s allowed him to be successful in a lot of different places.”
There’s no doubt Diggs will be motivated this Sunday. His exit from Buffalo wasn’t exactly smooth, and though he’s kept his public comments to a minimum, his play in the two games since the trade speaks volumes. He’s been dominant-especially against the very team that let him go.
And that’s part of what makes this matchup so compelling. The Bills haven’t yet found a true No. 1 receiver to replace Diggs, and his absence still looms large. Meanwhile, the guy who used to study him in practice now has the chance to shut him down in a game that could carry major playoff implications.
It’s a full-circle moment for Christian Benford. But don’t expect him to get caught up in the storyline-he’s too locked in for that.
He’s already shown he can hang with the league’s best. Now he gets to prove it again, against the very player who helped him get here.