Leodis

McKelvin

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.

McKelvin is entering the final year of his rookie deal. “He just hasn’t made the plays when he’s had the opportunity,” Gailey said. “And it seems like every time he’s in there, if a ball gets tipped and goes to a guy, it’s the guy he’s on.” The Bills may be open to trading McKelvin this offseason, because they don’t intend to extend his contract. His 2012 salary is $1,518,750.

The Bills are content with Drayton Florence, Terrence McGee and Aaron Williams as the top three corners. They’re also high on second-year player Justin Rogers and plan to add to the position in the draft and/or free agency. McKelvin is due just over $1.5 million in the final year of his rookie contract.

Leodis McKelvin, a 2008 first-rounder, has tumbled down the depth chart while Terrence McGee is due nearly $4 million coming off patella tendon surgery. The Bills figure to concentrate on pass rushers, speedy linebackers, and perhaps a receiver in the first two rounds of the draft.

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.

McKelvin battled a hip injury while plummeting down the depth chart during the season, but this is the first we’ve heard of a shoulder injury. There’s no timetable for McKelvin’s return. He’s under contract for one more season at $1.38 million.

Recently demoted out of the starting lineup, McKelvin hurt himself while playing special teams. The severity of his injury is unknown.

McKelvin had been coming on in nickel situations since losing his starting job five weeks ago. When Terrence McGee (knee) went down last week, though, Williams and Rogers played ahead of McKelvin. Williams will start Sunday with Rogers in the slot, leaving McKelvin without a role.

“Last year I didn’t play the nickel,” McKelvin said. “I feel like I should be on the field. ... I know I can play on the field in the nickel situations.” McKelvin is technically competing for a starting job, but this is a strong indication the Bills don’t expect him to beat out No. 10 pick Stephon Gilmore. Excelling in the slot could be McKelvin’s best shot at saving his roster spot.

McGee was expected to kick inside in the nickel last season, but missed significant action due to hamstring and knee injuries. McKelvin barely played the slot last season, but has been used there “a good deal” in spring practices. Rogers and Brooks have impressed this offseason and are heavily in the mix. The four-man competition figures to run well into the preseason.