The biggest question on the minds of the many in Buffalo is about the offense, and how it'll be different with such massive roster turnover. The Buffalo Bills have more than one query in need of answering, however, and another position group will be fielding entirely new starters. The Bills safety situation is anything but certain. Let's take a look.
The offseason losses of longtime-starters Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer may have been heartbreaking, but they were necessary. Over the last two seasons, doubts had been cast over both their declining ability on the field, and their ability to stay on the field at all. They were still a good duo, and capable starters, but Buffalo needed to get younger and cheaper if they were to continue to compete with the NFL's elite. They dragged their feet to get there, but instead of fielding two injured 33-year olds, the Bills will have safeties ranging from 28 to just 21. It's a new era for the Bills' secondary.
The New Last Line Of Defense
Only two of the Bills 2023 safeties are returning, and they both have some starting experience in this defense. On one hand, Taylor Rapp, the expected protégé to Hyde and Poyer, who spent last season under their wing. On the other, we have Damar Hamlin, who's experience in 2022 as the starter in place of Hyde can only be to his benefit.
Of the pair, Taylor Rapp is where expectations reside. His one-year deal back in 2023 was the audition, and he fulfilled his role, playing nearly half the Bills snaps on defense. Now, he returns on a three-year contract to start in this defense. His coverage downfield left something to be desired, but he has a nose for the ball and tackles very well. Some consistency in a starting role and another year's experience should lead to better play, but he's a serviceable starter and great athlete. As the projected strong safety for Week 1, Buffalo could do a lot worse.
Seemingly making a push for the other starting position, Damar Hamlin has been having a very solid camp. Perhaps it's the shedding of his horrific moment last year January, perhaps it's just a football player getting better; Hamlin has improved significantly this offseason. It seems almost mundane to hear updates of another big play and yet more fantastic growth, as Hamlin shows legitimate promise to steal the starting position away to kick things off. With injuries to several newcomers, it seems to be his for the taking. A year in the shoes of Micah Hyde, and another season on the backburner, may have been what he needed.
Fresh Faces
An expected starter at safety when the smoke of the free agency frenzy settled, Mike Edwards looks to win his third Super Bowl in five years with the Buffalo Bills. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury on the second day of camp has derailed his starting expectations. He recovered three turnovers last season, despite getting only five starts, and had five defended passes (per PFR). For now, the veteran will rehab and play with the lower end of the roster. With all the additions made in his absence, Edwards' path to the roster isn't clear, but he's still in play to be a starter this season. That is, if he can get back on the field in time.
The final major addition, and arguably the most intriguing man on this list, is second-round rookie Cole Bishop. Bishop was made in a lab. If there's one thing we know about Beane and McDermott when it comes to prospects, it's that they love freakish athletes. A phenomenally physical tackler with great instincts who can weave through traffic to make the play, Bishop is exactly what Buffalo should want at strong safety long-term. He was playing very well in camp, excelling in the opportunities given, and is on track to play a significant role this season.
But, just a few days after the Edwards injury, Cole Bishop went down too. A shoulder injury has derailed his Week 1 starting opportunity, but the race is far from over. There's still a month to get healthy and prove he should be on the field immediately, but it's a tall climb. Expect the Buffalo Bills to roster him, and let him come back at his own pace.
The Longshots
The notable roster ends there, in truth. Following the injuries to the two new contenders, and their 'week-to-week' designations, the Buffalo Bills reached out and signed Terrell Burgess and Kareem Jackson. They already had Cam Lewis, the longtime special teamer and reserve DB, but needed bodies for training, at the least. Jackson, the 15-year NFL veteran, provides serviceable play and emergency-valve experience, along with the capability to lay the hammer down, though at times recklessly. Burgess holds a lot in common with Jackson, outside of their 10-year experience gap. His main exception is that he is a special teamer, who can crack the roster or practice squad outside his position.
Cam Lewis is the final safety, and one who has actually played the position for Buffalo. We may remember the Vikings win over Buffalo in 2022, and the role Cam Lewis played in that. He is not excellent or remarkable but, as a bottom-of-the-bill DB who can play special teams and has experience in this defense, Lewis will be at worst a practice squad addition.
What To Expect
As of now, the starting pair have been shoehorned in. It's not the fit many wanted, but until one or both of Cole Bishop and Mike Edwards are healthy, don't be surprised to see the Rapp-Hamlin combo out there; Hamlin playing the safety valve deep, and Rapp roaming as we are so accustomed to seeing Jordan Poyer do. It won't be an improvement, but it will be fine. They've proven and capable starters who have both had an impact in this unit before, with the familiarity to be able to run it by Week 1.
As for the other dynamic duo, Edwards and Bishop, it would be no surprise at all the see Edwards sidelined for the more promising rookie. With his injury limiting his early chances, Edwards has fallen to the wayside. Rapp is serviceable as a deep safety and Bishop has too much athletic ability to spend his rookie season on the sidelines. As the very least, rotational reps from a surprisingly deep group of above average DBs will keep offenses honest and the Buffalo Bills defense versatile.