PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills on Monday signed veteran cornerback Ellis Lankster and waived first-year cornerback Lavelle Westbrooks.
Lankster, 28, was a seventh-round pick of the Bills in 2009 and played four seasons (2011-2014) for the New York Jets under current Bills coach Rex Ryan. He becomes the sixth of Ryan's former Jets players to reunite with him in Buffalo, joining wide receiver Percy Harvin, fullback John Conner, tight end Matthew Mulligan, quarterback Matt Simms and defensive end IK Enemkpali.
Although cornerback was the deepest position on the Bills' roster last season, their depth has been thinned this summer after Leodis McKelvin reinjured his broken ankle, Ross Cockrell suffered a knee injury in training camp and veteran Corey Graham was moved to safety.
Lankster could compete with Ron Brooks, Cockrell, Mario Butler and others for a role behind probable starters Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby, as well as nickel back Nickell Robey.
