This is what Buffalo Bills fans might be able to expect from Micah Hyde this coming season.
One of the first things Sean McDermott did as head coach of the Buffalo Bills was solidify the starting safeties by signing free agents Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. Over the past three years, these two have quietly become one of the best starting safety duos in the NFL.
The past three years Micah Hyde has combined for 212 total tackles, eight interceptions and 20 passes defended. He also earned a trip to the Pro Bowl for his play in 2017.
While Hyde and Poyer can be interchangeable, Hyde typically is the safety who drops into coverage more. He will usually finish the year with more passes defended and interceptions while Poyer plays closer to the line, resulting in more tackles and sacks.
2020 Season Outlook for Micah Hyde
There really is no reason to not expect more of the same from the veteran safety. Micah Hyde is now entering his fourth year in this defense and at this point should be very comfortable with his role and the scheme.
One of the keys to Micah Hyde’s success is that he rarely leaves the field when the defense is out there. The past three seasons, Hyde has played 96%, 87% and 93% of the defensive snaps.
The biggest concern, if there is one to note, is that the interception and passes defended totals have steadily decreased each season. In terms of interceptions they have gone from five in 2017 to only one last year.
The passes defended has followed a similar trend from 13 his first year with the Bills to only two last year. If he can increase this total, he could be in line for his second career Pro Bowl trip this coming season with the Buffalo Bills.
Prediction: 75 total tackles, four interceptions, 9 passes defended