ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — This is unfamiliar territory.
There’s really been no reason to discuss the safety position for the Bills since 2017.
Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer were the ultimate set-it-and-forget duo.
But now Poyer’s in Miami and I guess the conversation somewhat begins with uncertainty remaining about Hyde’s playing future.
Micah’s said it’s come back to the Bills or retire.
He’s told Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott to operate as they need to as he continues to weigh the decision, so we will too.
Taylor Rapp appears to be all but set as one of the replacements in the back end.
Rapp ended up seeing the field a good amount last season, including four starts.
McDermott raved about his elevated leadership through OTA’s and minicamp, so barring injury, let’s write his name in pen.
After that, I think it’s kind of wide open.
Mike Edwards was signed in the offseason, but an injury sidelined him through most of the spring.
Cole Bishop was a second-round pick in April. The talent is there, but how quickly can a rookie come in and grasp this Bills defense?
Cam Lewis has grown into quite the Swiss army knife in the secondary, including growth back at safety.
Then there’s Damar Hamlin, whose story has been about life more than football for well over a year now after suffering cardiac arrest in early January 2023.
While that will always follow Hamlin, his play during OTAs and minicamp put football back in the forefront, with multiple interceptions over multiple weeks.
And to be honest, Damar just looked like he was closer to being the guy he was before that night in Cincinnati.
That doesn’t mean that’s enough to grab a starting job, but Hamlin is one of a handful of players who certainly will be in the mix at safety.