The Battle for Jobs at Safety and Corner.

[Simon]

6 hours ago, boyst said:

One thing I notice about McDermott is once you earn your starting spot you basically keep it for the entire year. Only a few times do I remember him coming out of camp with positions not firmly in place and lasting all season. 

 

 Wyatt Teller, was one of them. He replaced Ducasse and started the last handful of games and played well.  Then was traded after being a starter.

 

The other few were lineman as well. Spain, Ford, and a few others.

 

But my point remains, I don't think we have seen a lot of movement for starters in any positions to who starts and doesn't without injury being a factor.

 

It'll be interesting if he is trying to switch safeties mid season. It's not his MO. 

 

I didn't mean to imply there would be mid-season changes. I just think that both Forrest and Hancock are the sort of positionally sound, situationally aware captain/leaders who are the kind of very smart players that McDermott loves, and they'll get some chances to show their stuff early. They both probably need a year in this defense for Coach to have enough confidence in them to truly get a shot to start, but in the meantime they are both going to make some plays that will push both Bishop and Rapp to stay on their toes, errrrr balls of their feet.

[klos63]

3 hours ago, <bills4life> said:

Next to 4.76 guy Taylor Rapp. 😂 

Rapp doesn't seem slow,  just out of position. 

[Redblood]

Taylor Rapp is a concern. Theybwere better with him, but i dont know if he gets us over the top

I hope strong makes it. He has good measurables

[Richard Noggin]

11 hours ago, WhitewalkerInPhilly said:

I'll be honest: so far Bishop has not proven to me that he's a starter. I expect major battles up and down the depth chart and some decent players are going to be gone on cutdown day

 

Bishop definitely isn't a proven starter at this point. But he's also almost 100% making the 53, given the recent draft investment. So he'll be given every opportunity to win a job over Forrest and Hamlin. I think reliability rates higher than max-ability for McD's DBs. Bishop needs to greatly improve his coverage fluency to start. His blown deep assignments were an unusual sight in the Bills defensive backfield last season. 

 

11 hours ago, Mat68 said:

I would guess it ends up

cb1 Benford, Jackson, Strong

cb 2 White/Hairston

Slot Johnson, Hancock

 

S Rapp, Bishop, Hamlin and Forest

 

Codrington imo has no chance to make the 53 unless an injury puts a player on IR and opens a roster spot.  That spot is going to a db.  I think they like Lewis too much to keep him off the roster.  I think him and Ingram are too limited.  They are replaced by Hancock and Strong.  

 

A lot of fans are discounting the role of STs in final DB roster decisions, especially as it pertains to Codrington. He's competing with Hardy, Shenault, Shakir, Samuel, Hamler, etc., for the punt returner role, but he's the current favorite.

 

Can Strong, Hairston, or Hancock return punts? What about Moore (or how about Coleman reprising his college role)? I genuinely don't know. 

[Redblood]

Cole bishop needs to step up

[nosejob]

17 hours ago, Logic said:

If I was Cam Lewis or Ja'Marcus Ingram, I'd be a little bit worried right now.

Strong is gonna make the 53.

[TheBeaneBandit]

16 hours ago, oldmanfan said:

Just throwing this out there, and before doing so understand that I think the world of Taron Johnson.  But he’s getting a bit older and has had some injuries.  Any chance one of the young kids beats him out?

Not this year.

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

I think it’s going to be pretty clear cut early on. Most of the movement will be with depth.

      24        9

             
                     

31      7                  47

 

probably Tre White and Jackson as the backup CB

 

Cam Lewis Hamlin and Hancock backup S/Slot

 

then everyone else might be fighting for 1 more spot that can be used anywhere but mostly as STs. If anyone of the group of the rest stands out enough to make Hamlin expendable, maybe he gets cut. If one of those guys becomes a must have for STs purposes, maybe a veteran backup gets let go before week 1

 

 

[BlueRed]

I’m curious to see if the bills cuts at these positions garner any interest across the league or come back as perfect practice squad players. 

We’ve grown accustomed to players like Cam Lewis and Ingram but do other teams have an interest or a spot on their 53 for these types of players?

 

It seems more often than not the players the bills end up cutting stick around. 

[frostbitmic]

CB - Safe = Benford & Hairston

Next up = White, Ingram, Jackson, Codrington, Strong, Couch ... At least two of these guys make the final roster, maybe 3.

 

Nickel CB - Safe = Johnson

Lewis - Knows the system, plays Nickel and Safety, One of our best ST players

Hancock - 5th round rookie, can play nickel and Safety, not sure about STs, Knows what it takes to win a Championship.

Hardy - 6th round pick last year and nearly made the team, can return punts ... 1 of these 3 will back up Johnson.

 

S - Safe = Rapp & Bishop

2 of these 3 guys will make the team, all 3 if Hancock wins the #2 NCB job ... Forrest, Hamlin, Hancock

 

Best guess starting - Benford, Hairston, Johnson, Rapp, Bishop

Back ups - White, Ingram, Hancock, Forrest, Hamlin

[pennstate10]

I think Hamlin is out. Too slow. 
 

Good chance that Hancock beats Lewis for slot/safety double duty backup. 
 

Hardy is a dark horse here. He’s a better slot cover guy than most people think. If he can show he makes better decisions in punt return game, he might take Codringtons place. 

[Redblood]

I think Taron still has a couple good yrs left

[Billzgobowlin]

20 hours ago, Shaw66 said:

I was hoping someone would start a discussion about these position groups.  I don't know who will win the corner roster spots, but I'm confident it'll be a good group. 

 

Safety is where I, and I think most others, are concerned. There isn't one who gives me a lot of confidence to be a solid, above-average start. I can't get enthused about Rapp, Bishop didn't show last season that he was ready (although he may and very well could make the jump he needs this season), Hamlin doesn't do it for me. It seems to me like a room full of backups and projects. One or two need to emerge. 

I was praying Starks would fall to us in the First because I know how dependent our defense has been on Safety.  Not convinced they would draft him because of perceived value but man I would have loved him to be a Bill.  Not sure any other Safety was mildly exciting.  I'm curious as to why they didn't go and get someone else other than Forrest at that position.

[3rdand12]

21 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

This is as crowded a field for DB jobs that I can remember.  The Bills' secondary last season outside of Benford was mediocre at best.  Benford emerged as one of the top 5 corners in the NFL and was rewarded with a huge second contract.

 

Gone from last year are former 1st rd pick Elam (traded away) and CB2 Douglas.

 

There are 9 returning players, plus 3 FA signees and 3 draftees competing for 10-12 jobs.  Historically the Bills have keep 4-5 safeties and between 5-7 CBs.

 

1) Besides Benford there are four other locks for the team.

2) Slot Corner Taron Johnson - Former All Pro was not a good as usual last season, but still solid.

3) Rookie Corner Max Hairston - speed demon and our top draft pick

4) Starting Safety Rapp - Beane praised his leadership last season.

5) 2nd year safety Cole Bishop - Injuries slowed his progress, but he pushed Hamlin for the starting job late in the season. 

 

Guys almost certain to make the team

6) Former starting safety Hamlin. Bills re-signed him this offseason and his dead cap if cut is 2 mill which is nearly 700K more than his actual cap hit.  A trade may happen if he gets out performed in camp.

7) FA signee and Bills returnee Tre White.  White signed for a year and 2.88 with a dead cap if cut of 2 mill.  He'll compete with Hairston for the CB2 job

 

Guys competing for the remaining jobs (not in any particular order)

8.) FA Safety Forrest - Cap hit 1.2 (dead cap 167K) - Has starting experience.  I have him penciled in but he could lose out like Edwards did last year.

9) S/CB Cam Lewis - Cap hit 2 mill (dead cap 212K) - Special Teams leader and often plays the dime, but 1.8 cap savings if cut.

10) FA CB Dane Jackson - Cap hit 1.37 (dead cap .568) - Former Bill returns after dreadful season in Carolina.

11) CB Ingram - Cap hit 1.03 (dead cap 4K) - played ok when called upon last season, but is primarily a special teams player.

12) CB Draftee Strong - Pick 177 out of Virginia Tech - Press Corner for 4.5 speed and good height and other measurables (Cap hit 911K, 71K dead cap if cut)

13) CB/S Hancock - Pick 170 out of Ohio State - 4.42 speed and 41.5 vertical.  Beane imagines him a safety because of only decent coverage skills. (Cap hit 920K, dead cap 80K)

14) CB/KR Codrington - UDFA acquired from the Jets - Good rookie year as primarily a punt returned. (Cap hit 960K, 0 dead cap)

15) CB/KR Hardy - 2024 draftee who lost his job to Codrington but remained on the PS last season. (Cap hit 844K, 8.5K dead cap)

 

CB Benford, Johnson and either White or Hairston start - Backups White or Hairston, then 2 others and maybe a 7th player who is primarily a punt returner.  The camp battles look like Strong, Ingram and Jackson for 2 CB slots with Codrington vs Hardy vs Shenault (WR) for the KR slot.  No telling how that will play out. 

 

At Safety Bishop are Rapp are the starters, Hamlin a backup with Forrest, Hancock and Lewis competing for up to 2 jobs.  I have Lewis as the odd man out.  

 

How this plays out should be interesting to watch.  

 

 

Absolutely will be interesting ! And thats just the secondary !!

 Thanks again for thoughts with such good context GA. I most always learn from your posts and gain an improved perspective 😇

 Who in the secondary listings is available for PS , and whether they might get picked up ?

This question is for everyone please 

[GASabresIUFan]

13 minutes ago, 3rdand12 said:

Absolutely will be interesting ! And thats just the secondary !!

 Thanks again for thoughts with such good context GA. I most always learn from your posts and gain an improved perspective 😇

 Who in the secondary listings is available for PS , and whether they might get picked up ?

This question is for everyone please 

Anyone we cut is available for the PS. Beane has cut and lost draftees sent to the PS.  Honestly it’s kind of a crap shoot.  Beane and his staff also scout other teams cuts as well to see who is available and may fit a need here.  Cine and Logue were two such players last year.  I’m hoping Zion Logue is one the big camp surprises this year.

Edited Saturday at 04:58 PM by GASabresIUFan

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

15 hours ago, Ralonzo said:

 

Lewis I think has a very narrow path to the 53 at his combination of ceiling/effectiveness/contract. Can't justify carrying him at twice the price unless Hancock just can't ball. Soon as I saw that pick, I figured he's gone.

i would put money on Cam Lewis making the 53. 
 

There are those unheralded guys that just flat-out compete, rise to the occasion, and will just figure out a way to beat out the competition. I think he’s one of them. 
 

Going to be some hard decisions this summer! 

[3rdand12]

4 hours ago, BlueRed said:

I’m curious to see if the bills cuts at these positions garner any interest across the league or come back as perfect practice squad players. 

We’ve grown accustomed to players like Cam Lewis and Ingram but do other teams have an interest or a spot on their 53 for these types of players?

 

It seems more often than not the players the bills end up cutting stick around. 

I am interested who McBeanes will feel comfortable moving to practice squad safely

[GETTOTHE50]

I like Ingram more than the other corners not named benford, taron, or maxy waxy, only bc he has the shown the ability the make the big play in bigger games. He gives you a shot to make a game changing play which I like 

[nosejob]

1 hour ago, Redblood said:

I think Taron still has a couple good yrs left

But if possible we should spell him.

[JerseyBills]

Love how Beane saw the weakness and just brought in player after player via FA and Draft and they can battle it out , those rooms will both go from a weakness to a strength. 

 

To a lesser degree I'd add WR to that. Palmer/Moore >>>> Washed up Coop/Mack