Buffalo Bills: Expect an uptick in Siran Neal’s production in 2019
By Avery Duncan
In wake of the Rafael Bush retirement, Buffalo Bills safety Siran Neal has the opportunity to see an uptick in snap counts in 2019.
Following the retirement of safety Rafael Bush, the Buffalo Bills signed veteran Kurt Coleman to a one-year contract. However, it may not be the team’s newest addition that fills the void of Bush. Siran Neal, a fifth-round pick in 2018, should be the one that does so.
Though Neal played just 15 defensive snaps as a rookie, the former Jacksonville State standout quickly ascended up the Bills’ depth chart during this year’s spring practices. During OTAs, Neal found himself working in the same role that Bush did for Buffalo last year — big slot corner.
Neal, similar to Bush, is best classified as a jack-of-all-trades safety, as he played the same role in college. Though a tad undersized (6-foot, 206-pounds) with good, not blazing, speed (4.56 second 40-time), Neal plays with a specific type of tenacity that Sean McDermott can rave about — which made him a core special-teamer as a rookie (249 snaps).
Bush’s impact on the Bills in 2018 came via his proficiency as a nickel safety. The veteran was oft used in the slot when Buffalo wanted to get bigger against the run but preserve their pass defense. Neal, during spring practices, played in the same role, and all indications are he’s thriving doing so.
As Neal told BuffaloBills.com’s Nate Mendelson, he sees 2019 as his coming out season,
"I’m seeing a lot of things that I’ve seen before. I just feel more comfortable. This is a year to come out and show coaches that they can depend on me – come out and do everything the right way."
Next. Buffalo Bills perform a safety swap as Rafael Bush retires. dark
Next season, expect Neal to split backup safety snaps with the freshly signed Coleman. He’s an outstanding blitzer for the position while the intricacies of the game are being engrained after a full year of NFL practice. He may have the leg up in the initial 53-man depth chart too. Neal, compared to Coleman, knows the playbook better and has a full-year of experience as a Bill.