Key Takeaways:
– Safety Damar Hamlin’s position in Buffalo Bills may be under threat.
– Analyst Joe Buscaglia predicts that Hamlin might be traded.
– The Bills could see further turnover in their secondary following Micah Hyde’s free agency exit and Jordan Poyer’s release.
– Rookies and freshly signed players are favorites to take over safety positions.
Article:
Possible Shake-up in Buffalo Bills’ Secondary
The Buffalo Bills are facing significant changes in their safety department. Recent events suggest that long-standing player, Damar Hamlin, may be under threat after Micah Hyde’s free agency exit and the release of Jordan Poyer.
Analyst Predicts a Tough Run for Hamlin
According to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic, Hamlin, now in his fourth year, could experience difficult times. Amid the Bills’ acquisition of new players through both free agency and the NFL Draft, Hamlin’s position appears precarious. An injury to Hyde last season provided Hamlin a starting role, but he seemed to retreat, participating in only five games in 2023. Buscaglia hints that incoming safeties may have surpassed Hamlin, although the 2023 season drop could partially be due to recovery from his on-field cardiac arrest the previous year.
Safety Positions up for Grabs
In his post-draft analysis, Buscaglia suggested that starting safety positions remain uncertain due to the departures of Hyde and Poyer. Returning players Taylor Rapp and second-round draftee Cole Bishop appear to be the top candidates. “Rapp seems the safest bet to be on the first team through the spring and summer,” Buscaglia commented. He also predicted that Mike Edwards and Cam Lewis would be among the Bills’ top choices in training. For Hamlin, it represents a substantial hurdle as he could find himself off-guards during summer. A potential trade of Hamlin isn’t out of the question.
Trade Prospects for Hamlin in Card?
Buscaglia alludes that the Bills could be open to trading Hamlin. “He’s on the outside looking in on the roster this year. The Bills’ trading him before the season wouldn’t be a surprise,” he said. History supports the idea as Bills’ General Manager Brandon Beane has previously traded players on the edge of the roster. Notably in August 2023, defensive end Boogie Basham was traded to the New York Giants.
New Entrant Bishop Earns Plaudits
Whilst these developments may spell uncertain futures for some players, the Bills received acclaim for drafting Bishop as their second-round pick. Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon lauded this as their best-value pick of the entire draft. The void left by Hyde and Poyer could well be filled by fresh pick Bishop.
Future Decisions Pending
More decisions are underway. Beane has not ruled out bringing back veteran Hyde if he continues his NFL career, adding another twist to the secondary’s transformation.