Rookie camp - Post updates here

[Doc]

1 hour ago, JohnBonhamRocks said:

Why are you hoping that for Hancock? To me, a big part of his appeal is his versatility. 

 

Because the options at safety are limited.  He and Bishop IMHO are the guys I want to see win the starting spots.

[YattaOkasan]

 

5 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

Because the options at safety are limited.  He and Bishop IMHO are the guys I want to see win the starting spots.

Forrest is my preference at S over Hancock but I understand. Need better coverage out of that position and better athletes would be the easiest way to achieve that. 

[26TrapDraw]

On 5/9/2025 at 2:50 PM, SoonerBillsFan said:

Smoothe like butter 🧈 

One would argue Smoov.

[NickelCity]

2 hours ago, Doc said:

 

Beane said Hancock will play NCB and safety.  I'm hoping that Hardy seizes the NCB role and allows them to play Hancock exclusively at S.

 

Oh no doubt that's the hope. I just think he's going to flash at NCB.

[JohnBonhamRocks]

22 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

Because the options at safety are limited.  He and Bishop IMHO are the guys I want to see win the starting spots.

I get it in that context. But otherwise I like him as a chess piece/heir apparent to Johnson. Hoping Forrest takes that starting role next to Bishop. Hey, if Hancock can come in and pair up with Bishop for a long while I’m fine with that though!

[Doc]

21 minutes ago, YattaOkasan said:

Forrest is my preference at S over Hancock but I understand. Need better coverage out of that position and better athletes would be the easiest way to achieve that. 

 

Why Forrest over Hancock?  From what I've read, Forrest isn't the greatest cover safety.

 

BTW, any word about the 2nd day (yesterday) of rookie minicamp?

[YattaOkasan]

11 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

Why Forrest over Hancock?  From what I've read, Forrest isn't the greatest cover safety.

 

BTW, any word about the 2nd day (yesterday) of rookie minicamp?

Forrest has done it (though a bit ago) in the NFL is why. In 2022 (second season) he started 11 games and had a coverage rating of 75.4. Not sure what his run defense was like but that rating would be so much better than any of our safeties last year. He got injured and then new coaching regime. I think it’s more likely he puts it together than a 5th round rookie (though I’m also high on him and prefer him to rapp or Hamlin).
 

Not too much about Hancock from rookie camp. I think preseason will be super interesting to evaluate him. 

[Doc]

5 minutes ago, YattaOkasan said:

Forrest has done it (though a bit ago) in the NFL is why. In 2022 (second season) he started 11 games and had a coverage rating of 75.4. Not sure what his run defense was like but that rating would be so much better than any of our safeties last year. He got injured and then new coaching regime. I think it’s more likely he puts it together than a 5th round rookie (though I’m also high on him and prefer him to rapp or Hamlin).
 

Not too much about Hancock from rookie camp. I think preseason will be super interesting to evaluate him. 

 

If he's decent in coverage then I heard wrong and I'd agree that his experience would make him the better candidate.

[Doc]

11 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

Thanks. I didn’t realize the back is still an issue.

 

I think it's more that they want to give him as much time as possible to ensure it has healed.  Not participating physically in rookie minicamp isn't making or breaking his season.

[YattaOkasan]

31 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

If he's decent in coverage then I heard wrong and I'd agree that his experience would make him the better candidate.

He did have a tougher rating in 2023 pre injury. So not spotless. Gave up two TDs and averaged 50 yards per completion !!(8 completions and 47% so limited stats). Rookie season didn’t have any coverage and then new regime didn’t him like warranted or not. I would say it’s an open question if he can return to 2022 based on injury and 2023 regression in limited snaps. 

[K-9]

6 hours ago, Doc said:

 

Beane said Hancock will play NCB and safety.  I'm hoping that Hardy seizes the NCB role and allows them to play Hancock exclusively at S.

Hancock is our new, more athletic Micah Hyde in a couple years. 

[BillsFanForever19]

12 hours ago, Doc said:

 

Because the options at safety are limited.  He and Bishop IMHO are the guys I want to see win the starting spots.

 

It's pretty clear reading between the lines of Beane's words and their official label of "Defensive Back" on everything that Jordan Hancock's role on this team is the eventual successor for Cam Lewis as the floating backup Nickel CB and Safety.

 

Even in the little bit he spoke to the media he said "really everywhere" when asked where they were trying him out at. He even talked about learning multiple playbooks for multiple positions.

 

in Year 1, the ceiling for him is that he impresses enough that they cut Cam Lewis this year and Hancock is the first guy up if there's an injury to Taron Johnson or to one of the starting Safeties.

 

There's almost no chance they're going to take a late 5th Round Pick that is learning multiple playbooks and being split between multiple positions in Training Camp and start them at Safety in Year 1. Especially with how conservative McDermott generally is with Rookies.

 

He and Strong were brought in to replace guys like Lewis and Ingram, improve the depth, evaluate, and develop them for potentially larger roles in Year 2 and beyond. Strong is also definitely an Outside CB in this Defense and is the Double Down insurance to Hairston (like with Benford's 6th Round selection to Elam's 1st in 2022).

Edited 4 hours ago by BillsFanForever19

[27yankees]

He's going to be wearing WR's like a glove.

[Doc]

4 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

It's pretty clear reading between the lines of Beane's words and their official label of "Defensive Back" on everything that Jordan Hancock's role on this team is the eventual successor for Cam Lewis as the floating backup Nickel CB and Safety.

 

Even in the little bit he spoke to the media he said "really everywhere" when asked where they were trying him out at. He even talked about learning multiple playbooks for multiple positions.

 

in Year 1, the ceiling for him is that he impresses enough that they cut Cam Lewis this year and Hancock is the first guy up if there's an injury to Taron Johnson or to one of the starting Safeties.

 

There's almost no chance they're going to take a late 5th Round Pick that is learning multiple playbooks and being split between multiple positions in Training Camp is going to Start at Safety in Year 1. Especially with how conservative McDermott generally is with Rookies.

 

He and Strong were brought in to replace guys like Lewis and Ingram, improve the depth, evaluate, and develop them for potentially larger roles in Year 2 and beyond. Strong is also definitely an Outside CB in this Defense and is the Double Down insurance to Hairston (like with Benford's 6th Round selection to Elam's 1st in 2022).

 

That's why I want him focusing on one position in his rookie year.  That position being safety where IMHO he's needed most.

[BillsFanForever19]

20 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

That's why I want him focusing on one position in his rookie year.  That position being safety where IMHO he's needed most.

 

You can wish that's what they were doing - but it's already been said that's not what's happening.

[Doc]

1 minute ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

You can wish that's what they were doing - but it's already been said that's not what's happening.

 

We'll see.  Still a lot of time between now and training camp.

[Richard Noggin]

Seeing a lot of Bishop + Forrest vs Bishop + Hancock debate. And I get the hope that Bishop just steps up in year two and grabs hold of a starting position. That's best case. 

 

But...all things being equal (which they're not, considering draft investment, contracts, etc.), Rapp feels like the leader out of the clubhouse based on past performance and tenure, and the #2 job is yet to be determined (but the Bills hope Bishop makes it an easy decision). The DB room overall is SO much better than it was last year. The effort to overhaul the unit's athleticism and aggression makes this a fun transition year. True of DL as well. 

[Richard Noggin]

1 hour ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

You can wish that's what they were doing - but it's already been said that's not what's happening.

 

I found it noteworthy that Hancock himself very recently said S is his most natural position (over NCB). He's currently learning both, no doubt, but admittedly feels more natural at S. 

 

1 hour ago, Doc said:

 

We'll see.  Still a lot of time between now and training camp.

 

Of course it's possible the stated plan for Hancock changes/evolves throughout the summer. I'm compelled by the scattered Micah Hyde comps. GB wasn't sure at first (or ever) where Hyde belonged, either. McD sure saw his best fit with crystalline clarity. Fingers crossed Hancock makes his value known early and often, wherever that turns out to be. 

 

[YattaOkasan]

13 minutes ago, Richard Noggin said:

Seeing a lot of Bishop + Forrest vs Bishop + Hancock debate. And I get the hope that Bishop just steps up in year two and grabs hold of a starting position. That's best case. 

 

But...all things being equal (which they're not, considering draft investment, contracts, etc.), Rapp feels like the leader out of the clubhouse based on past performance and tenure, and the #2 job is yet to be determined (but the Bills hope Bishop makes it an easy decision). The DB room overall is SO much better than it was last year. The effort to overhaul the unit's athleticism and aggression makes this a fun transition year. True of DL as well. 

It is rapps spot out the gate as he’s the vet. But his 100+ coverage grade needs to be improved upon.  Given the investment bishop really needs to make the decision easy this year on safety #1. The Forrest signing and Hancock draft get me excited cause they have the athleticism to compliment bishop better than rapp. So it’s rapp to start in the spring but let’s see how TC plays with two better athletes getting time on task. 

[Richard Noggin]

8 minutes ago, YattaOkasan said:

It is rapps spot out the gate as he’s the vet. But his 100+ coverage grade needs to be improved upon.  Given the investment bishop really needs to make the decision easy this year on safety #1. The Forrest signing and Hancock draft get me excited cause they have the athleticism to compliment bishop better than rapp. So it’s rapp to start in the spring but let’s see how TC plays with two better athletes getting time on task. 

 

Hunnerd percent.