With both of Buffalo’s long-time starters at safety no longer on the roster, a rookie has a chance to shine this year
The Buffalo Bills had two of the NFL’s best safeties for a long period of time. Starting in 2017, the Bills had both Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde in the back end, and those two studs were a big part of the reason why Buffalo’s defense has been outstanding since head coach Sean McDermott arrived. Poyer and Hyde combined for 38 interceptions, 90 pass breakups, 12 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, and 1,326 tackles across seven stellar seasons.
But, as we know, all good things must come to an end. Poyer inked a contract with the Miami Dolphins this offseason, and while Hyde remains unsigned, it’s likely that he chooses to retire rather than try to come back for a 12th NFL season after a series of neck issues plagued him for the past two years. It’s the end of one era on defense for Buffalo, and the beginning of something new.
In today’s installment of “91 players in 91 days,” we discuss one of the young players vying for the chance to replace Poyer and Hyde.
Cole Bishop
Number: 24
Position: S
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 207 pounds
Age: 21 (22 on 10/24/2024)
Experience/Draft: R; selected by Buffalo in the second round (No. 60 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft
College: Utah
Acquired: Second-round draft choice
Financial situation (per Spotrac): Bishop signed a four-year rookie deal worth $6,547,996 overall. For the 2024 season, he carries a cap hit of $1,190,545 if he makes the 53-man roster. The total guarantees on the deal come to $3,469,846, and that’s the dead-cap number Buffalo would carry if he were released this summer.
2023 Recap: Bishop followed up his stellar sophomore year with a strong junior season. He led all Utah secondary players in tackles with 60, and he also had five pass breakups and a career-high two interceptions. He notched three sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss, as well. All of that was good enough to merit a Second-Team All-Pac 12 Conference showing, and he also was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist as one of the best defensive backs in college football. Bishop was a Senior Bowl invitee even though he was a true junior, and he shined in the practices by displaying strong coverage ability against opposing tight ends. Bishop ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, and he showed off a 39” vertical and a 10’4” broad jump, as well.
Positional outlook: Bishop is joined by some familiar faces (Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin) and some new ones, too (Mike Edwards, Kendall Williamson). Cam Lewis is listed as a defensive back, but he plays both slot corner and safety.
2024 Offseason: Bishop has participated in offseason activities so far.
2024 Season outlook: While Poyer and Hyde had the savvy and the know-how to run Buffalo’s defense blindfolded, it was apparent last season that the wear-and-tear of constant NFL beatings was beginning to take its toll on the solid veterans.
Bishop adds tremendous athleticism to the back end of Buffalo’s defense, and if he can absorb the defense quickly, then he has the chance to step right into a starting gig in 2024, and he could thrive in doing so. However, I think it’s more likely that the Bills use Rapp and Edwards to start, and Bishop could slot in as a sub-package player or as someone who gives Rapp a breather when he inevitably hits someone so hard that he hurts himself.
Bishop is a “bona fide striker,” according to Lance Zierlein, and he seems to play his best when he’s able to crash down on the offense. That sounds a lot like Rapp’s game, so even though he’s wearing Kurt Schulz’s old jersey number, I’d liken Bishop less to the traditional free safety than I would the traditional strong safety in that he’s more likely to light a guy up over the middle than he is to make a play 45 yards downfield. That’s not to say he can’t do it, but early in his career, the Bills may choose to take it slowly.
Buffalo has the veterans on the roster to make it so that Bishop doesn’t have to start right away, so if he does, then we’ll know he’s earned it. I’m excited to see him in action, as I love his athletic profile and I think he has the potential to be a monster in this defense. The preseason will go a long way towards determining what Bishop’s role is early in the year.