The Buffalo Bills could be starting two new safeties in their defensive backfield in 2024. With the possible retirement of Micah Hyde and the unknown with Jordan Poyer, the Bills will be looking to fill a huge hole on defense that they haven't had to fill since 2017. With the conclusion of the NFL Combine, the deep pool of safety free agents, plus players currently on the roster, the team will have plenty of options to choose from.
With the uncertainty of what might happen with Poyer, the Bills could be looking for two new safeties, rather than just one. Poyer's cap hit in 2024 is over $7.7 million and with Buffalo's cap situation, he instantly becomes a potential cap casualty candidate. Several safeties have already been released this offseason due to their respective cap hits, such as Jamal Adams. If the Bills release Poyer, they take a $2 million dead cap hit but save more than $5.7 million.
The NFL Combine showed us there are options at safety as well that the Buffalo Bills could target in the 2024 NFL Draft; however, Brandon Beane has said before the goal is to fill as many needs as possible via free agency, so their draft can truly be the best player available, rather than feeling like they have to reach for players of need. But if the Bills end up looking to the draft to fill a starting need at safety, they will almost have to draft one early. I don't think there is a day-one starting caliber in this year's draft outside of the second round.
Possible starting safeties for the Buffalo Bills in 2024
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