The Buffalo Bills' 41-40 comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 was epic for so many reasons.
One guy who got to play an unexpected role was rookie cornerback Dorian Strong.
Strong was actually the lowest-drafted defensive player to start in Week 1. He got the spot opposite Christian Benford as a boundary CB for Buffalo.
You can see the whole list of Week 1 outings in this awesome data visualization from Anthony Reinhard:
Week 1 roles for 2025 draft picks pic.twitter.com/6gVysu2M2N
— Anthony Reinhard (@reinhardNFL) September 10, 2025
MORE: This new Shedeur Sanders rumor misses the entire point of his Browns rookie season
Strong got the start because of injuries, namely to veteran Tre'Davious White, but still: A start is a start.
The Bills chose him 177th overall, in the sixth round, of April's NFL Draft.
Strong is originally from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and he played college football at Virginia Tech. He was All-ACC for the Hokies.
At the NFL Combine, Strong ran a 4.50-second 40-yard dash and vertical leaped 36 inches. He's 6-foot-1 with decent length.
MORE: Jayden Daniels is NFL's first Japanese quarterback in nearly 100 years
Strong was involved in two tackles against the Ravens.
The Bills couldn't take him off the field. He played all 51 defensive snaps, along with 10 special teams snaps.
Strong's role might decline as the Bills get healthy, but there's nothing like a little trial by fire to get an NFL career started.
MORE NFL NEWS:
- Kyle Hamilton nearly scored the first 1-point safety in NFL history
- Mike Evans hints at retirement before return to home state
- Michael McCorkle 'Mac' Jones is the 49ers' only hope
- The NFL is about to have a new all-time field goal percentage leader
- Keenan Allen's stellar return to the Chargers wasn't a fluke
- 'Have a little faith': How Bills pulled off unbelievable comeback to stun Ravens