An experienced NFL analyst believes that Cole Bishop, the new safety for the Buffalo Bills, is not just underrated but an excellent match for his team’s strategy.
Comparing the football secondary to a beloved dish from Western New York, safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer are likened to deep-fried chicken wings and buttered-down hot sauce—individually excellent but creating magic when paired together. Just as chicken wings are ingrained in Buffalo’s culture, Hyde and Poyer have become integral parts of the Buffalo Bills since 2017. With a combined 202 starts, three All-Pro selections, and two Pro Bowl appearances, they’ve established a formidable ‘no-fly’ zone in the Bills’ defense.
At their peak, Hyde and Poyer were widely regarded as one of the NFL’s best safety duos, offering versatility that allowed the rest of the defense to excel. However, their effectiveness has been impacted by age and injuries in recent seasons. Both now 33 years old, Hyde missed nearly the entire 2022 season due to a neck injury, while Poyer missed five games primarily due to an arm ailment. Last season, the pair missed a total of four games, signaling the challenges of maintaining top performance as players age.
After seven years of contributing to Buffalo’s winning culture and on-field success, Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer have reached a juncture where the team must transition. In the 2024 offseason, the Bills made the decision to let both safeties depart in free agency. Poyer secured a contract with the divisional rival Dolphins, while Hyde is still on the market as a free agent.
Buffalo faces the challenge of not simply replacing Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, but rather finding new players to compete for the starting safety positions. Among those vying for these roles are Taylor Rapp, who returns after spending the 2023 season with the Bills, and newly acquired free agent Mike Edwards from the Kansas City Chiefs. Competing with them are Cam Lewis and Damar Hamlin.
One player who stands out as a potential challenger for a starting spot is Cole Bishop, drafted by the Bills with the 60th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Although not flashy, Bishop is known for his solid football skills, accumulating 197 tackles (with 21.5 for a loss) and three interceptions during his time at Utah.
Overall, Cole Bishop has garnered praise for his impressive attributes. He possesses good size, athleticism, and physicality, with the ability to play various positions on the field, including post safety in Cover 1 and Cover 3. Observers note his smooth transitions, fluid movements, and agility, enabling him to change direction effectively and react swiftly to plays in front of him. Additionally, Bishop demonstrates competitiveness, intelligence, and versatility, making him a valuable asset on the field. Despite concerns about his arm length, which measured below average at the NFL Scouting Combine, Bishop’s exceptional athletic performance, reflected in his high Relative Athletic Score, suggests he has the potential to excel as a safety in the NFL.
Cosell describes Cole Bishop as a thoroughly complete safety, highlighting his combination of size, physicality, and agility. He commends Bishop’s solid tackling abilities, which are sometimes undervalued in evaluating safeties. While Bishop may not possess the elite athleticism of some top-tier prospects, Cosell believes he is just a step below in terms of explosiveness and agility. This may have contributed to him not being widely projected as a first-round pick, despite his overall proficiency as a safety.
