Key Bills Defender Makes Big ‘Jump’ in Bid To Join Starting Lineup

Buffalo Bills safety Cole Bishop spent his rookie season as a reserve after being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft. Now it’s time for the high-upside defensive back to earn a starting spot by leapfrogging Damar Hamlin on the depth chart.

Bishop is trending toward doing exactly that based on the early offseason workouts. Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich told Sal Maiorana of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle they’ve witnessed substantial progress from the second-year safety.

“The jump we’ve seen from Cole from that first year as a rookie to this year has been really good so far,” Babich said. “There’s a lot of room left, but it’s been really good so far. I think it’s just the comfortability of what we’re doing. It’s the more reps he gets of one call, that you just see him taking more control. You go back to it, he didn’t play in training camp [last year], right, and that was valuable reps missed out. So I think just the comfortability, and what we’re trying to do in the second year is tremendous for him.”

A breakout campaign from Bishop would provide a massive boost to the Buffalo defense, which suffered from lackluster play in the secondary in 2024.

Bills’ Cole Bishop Ready For Bigger Role on Defense

Bishop Comments on His Offseason Development

The University of Utah product finished his rookie year with 40 total tackles, two passes defended, and a forced fumble across 16 appearances. His role steadily increased throughout the year. He even drew a start in the Bills’ playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with Taylor Rapp out injured. He finished that contest with a team-high 10 tackles.

Bishop told Maiorana he took some time after the season to recharge. He quickly returned to Buffalo, however, with an eye on taking a major step forward.

“I came back pretty early,” Bishop said. “I was back home for a little bit, but came back pretty early for training. So me and, Rapp] have been up here for a while now. So we’ve been working together a good bit. Obviously, I have my own technical things and everything, but just trying to play faster, play more free. Compared to this time last year, I feel a lot more comfortable, obviously. So, just trying to embrace that.”

Building that rapport with Rapp is crucial to the defense’s success. The Bills saw that firsthand for seven years while Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer patrolled the safety spots together.

Sean McDermott Lays Out Expectations For Bills Safety

The Bills have always been cautious with rookies during the McDermott Era. Rarely has the head coach handed a first-year player a significant role. In turn, it wasn’t a major surprise when Buffalo opted to start a known commodity in Hamlin over the second-round pick.

Hamlin, one of sports’ best stories, was an on-field liability last year, though. His severe lack of speed is a massive problem, especially in coverage. His poor 60.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus accurately reflects his struggles.

So, it’d really help the Bills if the more athletic Bishop can take over opposite Rapp. But what does McDermott want to see before making the switch?

“Cole, now going into his second year, big offseason for Cole,” he told Maiorana. “Getting stronger, getting a better grasp on what we need defensively to get us lined up. And then collectively on the back end, making plays on the ball, making interceptions, making PBUs (pass breakups), being a force back there to be reckoned with is big for us.”

His strong playoff showing against the Chiefs last season was a great sign that he’s ready to meet those demands.

Can Bishop Secure Starting Role For Buffalo in Year 2?

Rapp is locked into one starting safety role, barring injury. Bishop and Hamlin are the leading contenders for the other spot, but they aren’t alone. Darrick Forrest and a pair of rookies, Jordan Hancock and Wande Owens, will also be given the chance to compete in the coming months.

That said, there’s little doubt a Rapp-Bishop pairing is the best outcome for Buffalo. It’d be a versatile tandem, giving McDermott and his staff an opportunity to use more exotic looks, and it’d undoubtedly add the most playmaking potential at the safety level.

Bishop isn’t guaranteed a place in the starting lineup, though. The Bills proved last year how much the value of Hamlin’s scheme knowledge and leadership. They overlooked his obvious shortcomings and remained committed to him all year. Those traits could prove valuable as the team tries to work a rookie cornerback (Maxwell Hairston) into the secondary.

Expect a true competition throughout camp. Bishop must show clear growth, particularly in terms of scheme responsibilities and play recognition, to overtake Hamlin. He must also outshine Forrest, Hancock, and Owens along the way.

All told, the Bills’ defensive potential will vastly improve if he’s able to earn his spot in the lineup.