Drayton

Florence

Florence started at cornerback last weekend and played well. San Diego is hopeful he’ll be ready by gametime.

He’s probably an improvement over Sammy Davis, is running with the second-team.

Rookie first-round pick Antonio Cromartie will be the team’s nickel back. We hoped for progress in San Diego’s secondary, so this isn’t necessarily a great sign.

Aaron Williams and rookie Stephon Gilmore are the favorites to start. Terrence McGee is likely to return in a nickel corner capacity. Drayton Florence is due $4 million this season, so it’s fair to wonder if the 31-year-old’s roster spot is in jeopardy. No. 124 pick Ron Brooks is considered a lock to make the team, which means Leodis McKelvin and Justin Rogers currently sit sixth and seventh on the depth chart. Our guess is that McKelvin is the odd man out.

Florence had also drawn interest from the Titans and Chargers. Even after losing a step in 2011, the 31-year-old can still hold his own in coverage. Florence should represent an upgrade on Chris Harris as nickelback, with Tracy Porter remaining on the outside.

It will be Florence’s first visit since being released by the Bills last week, though the Chargers are known to have “reached out” to him. The Titans are unsettled at corner after letting Cortland Finnegan walk, but Florence would presumably slot in at nickel back behind starters Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner. Florence could compete with Verner for a starting job, however.

Florence would presumably battle Chris Harris for nickelback duties in Denver. In addition to the Titans and Broncos, the Chargers are also believed to be interested in the veteran cornerback.

This deal makes too much sense not to happen. The Union-Tribune San Diego’s Michael Gehlken suspects Florence would immediately be installed as the Bolts’ nickel back if signed, presumably behind Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason. Florence has collected $22 million over the past four seasons from Buffalo and Jacksonville. He should be able to afford to play for a minimum deal in 2012.

The 31-year-old struggled in pass coverage last season (opposing QBs posted a 103.3 passer rating), but still played almost double the snaps of any other Buffalo corner. With first-rounder Stephon Gilmore and 2010 second-rounder Aaron Williams ready for major roles, however, Florence was more of a luxury than a necessity at $4 million in base salary. He should catch on elsewhere as a reserve with a much cheaper salary. Leodis McKelvin, thought to be on the roster bubble, can breathe a bit easier with this news.

Chargers management has long been high on Florence, and he’ll be cheaper than ever after being released following the draft. The Chargers also didn’t use any draft picks on corners. In San Diego, Florence could compete with Antoine Cason and Marcus Gilchrist for the starting job opposite Quentin Jammer.