The Buffalo Bills’ improved secondary aims to drastically improve in coverage in 2025 after allowing the ninth-most passing yards in 2024. The defense currently has one of the two starting safety positions locked in, with Taylor Rapp looking to lead the unit as the free safety. The Bills will have two players competing for the strong safety spot, including a former second-round pick.
Buffalo Bills’ safety played an important role later on in his rookie season
Cole Bishop began his rookie year as the backup safety but started in five regular-season and playoff games due to injuries. He recorded 53 tackles, one TFL, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble in 19 games and five starts. Bishop also allowed 21 receptions on 29 targets for 273 yards, two touchdowns, and a 126.6 passer rating.
He looks to overtake Damar Hamlin as the starter this summer. So far, the second-round pick has taken the early lead before missing mandatory minicamp with an undisclosed injury.
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Buffalo Bills’ 2nd-year player is a breakout candidate by The Athletic
The Athletic had each of its writers who cover a team list that NFL team’s breakout candidate for the 2025 season. Joe Buscaglia listed Cole Bishop for the Buffalo Bills. Buscaglia points to Bishop’s strong finish to his rookie season, becoming more comfortable in the defensive scheme, and taking the early lead over Damar Hamlin in the strong safety battle.
“Many believed safety to be a draft consideration this year, but Bishop was the reason they declined to do so. As long as he remains healthy, the 2024 second-round pick looks like a pretty good bet to be the Week 1 starter in 2025,” Buscaglia said. “After a slow start as a rookie due to injuries and uneven play, Bishop hit his stride at the end of the season as he made spot starts in both the regular season and playoffs. Bishop looked a lot more comfortable within the scheme this spring and has drawn some glowing reviews from the Bills.”
Sean McDermott has confidence in Cole Bishop entering Year 2
“I have a lot of confidence Cole’s wired the way that he will be a player that will put in the time and work,” McDermott said, via the team’s website. “When you draft a player where we drafted him, you want him to win that job. But he’s got to do it. We can’t do it for him.”
