How high is Bishop's ceiling?

[GunnerBill]

9 minutes ago, HardyBoy said:

 

He's playing well when Lewis subs in for Poyer too though... I'm not saying Poyer definitely isn't the reason, but shouldn't his play drop significantly on passing downs when Lewis comes in then? 

 

Could it be just that something clicked for him and coincided when Poyer started playing, or maybe more that Rapp was the issue and brining in any replacement level player would have facilitated Bishop's ability to only have to think about his role and not covering for Rapp?

 

Hancock is mainly coming in at safety on passing downs. Lewis is playing dime. It could be it just "coincided" with JoPo going in. I suspect not though. I suspect a proper vet who actually knows football is making a significant difference. 

[gordong]

On 11/17/2025 at 12:19 PM, BuffaloMatt said:

Poyer playing instead of Rapp has really helped him IMO. 

would not hurt to hire Poyer as an assistant secondary coach, I think its safe to say Bishop is where he his today because of Poyer.  I'm also somewhat surprised how Poyer is not sticking out in games in a bad way.  

[Sierra Foothills]

On 11/17/2025 at 9:18 AM, ColoradoBills said:

Seriously,

He is coming along really well.

 

Glad they didn't listen to the "bust" calls we all heard.

 

On 11/17/2025 at 9:54 AM, Royale with Cheese said:

He has the potential to be the greatest of all time.  We will build a statue for him.

 

On 11/17/2025 at 10:40 AM, Joe Marino said:

Pope.

 

It took 3 pages but we finally got there... good job!

 

On 11/17/2025 at 11:28 AM, RobbRiddick said:

I think he's a bit too good looking to ever be really great

 

Plus he does too many TV commercials... or at least he eventually will.

 

On 11/17/2025 at 11:28 AM, Billsfanatic8989 said:

So disrespectful!!!!

 

.......he will be Ed Reed x2

 

Disrespectful?

 

I guess you're kidding because John Lynch is in the HOF.

 

[machine gun kelly]

10 hours ago, 3rdand12 said:

This really seems to be the key. For me at least.

 It lines up well for sure.

Even better than Poyer raising the guys back there with Him ? he is playing pretty solid football himself

 This is fun.

 Hairston and White swapping reps was cool too.

McD might be owed a thank you.

  Imagine if the team were anywhere near fully healthy

 

Bishop FTW

Might have been dry sarcasm from our Weo 🙄

3/12, I’d only add Hancock’s playing time needs to increase consecutively until the playoffs where Poyer for him and White for Hairston are filling mentor roles.  Sure, especially with easier games can take some snaps to teach by example, but the younger athletes can be eased into full time starters.  With the development of Bishop panning out, and Lewis has filled in well for Johnson.  We may actually have a solid backfield like we had for all of those years with Taron in his prime, Poyer and Hyde, and Benford.

 

It will ameliorate so much pressure on the front four.

[Mr. WEO]

On 11/17/2025 at 2:26 PM, mannc said:

Wild that I would take Bishop over a slot corner with zero regular season interceptions in his career?  If you say so…

 

BIshop has put together 3 nice games in a row, no doubt.  But Dejean has been a stud for most of 2 years, so dunking on people now who (rightfully) wanted him on the BIlls is pretty weak.

[Mr. WEO]

On 11/17/2025 at 7:58 PM, BuffaloMatt said:

Poyer is not the problem

 

He clearly isn't any part of a solution.  

 

It's typical McBeane thinking.   When you're caught with your pants down you call some close to retirement guy you know.

[GunnerBill]

27 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

BIshop has put together 3 nice games in a row, no doubt.  But Dejean has been a stud for most of 2 years, so dunking on people now who (rightfully) wanted him on the BIlls is pretty weak.

 

Agree. And didn't Dejean have a pick on SNF anyway? So he DOES now have a regular season pick. Dejean is a difference maker on that defense. Hopefully Cole is trending that way on ours. He has been excellent the past few games but we are a way off putting him on Cooper Dejean's level yet. And FWIW Dejean has graded out very well when he has played as an outside corner this season too, which they have done a fair bit of in 2025. He is elite in the slot, but he can play outside corner and be a good NFL starter. He isn't Taron Johnson who had to play slot because he wouldn't survive outside, he is closer to McDuffie who plays in the slot because he is elite there. He isn't as good as McDuffie outside, but he can play there.

[Sierra Foothills]

DeJean is an excellent player... who plays on an ultra-talented football team.

 

He's not had to overcome any adversity as an Eagle so he has that advantage over Bishop.

 

[Mr. WEO]

2 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

DeJean is an excellent player... who plays on an ultra-talented football team.

 

He's not had to overcome any adversity as an Eagle so he has that advantage over Bishop.

 

 

The BIlls have a higher ranked Offense (by a million miles) and Defense. They have won 20 games vs 22 for the Eagles over the last 2 years. 

 

Where is the "adversity" in that? 

 

[Sierra Foothills]

6 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

The BIlls have a higher ranked Offense (by a million miles) and Defense. They have won 20 games vs 22 for the Eagles over the last 2 years. 

 

Where is the "adversity" in that? 

 

 

The 69 man/games lost by the Bills defense to injury and suspension in just 10 weeks.

 

Not the best situation for a guy entering his 2nd season.

 

[Mr. WEO]

8 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

The 69 man/games lost by the Bills defense to injury and suspension in just 10 weeks.

 

Not the best situation for a guy entering his 2nd season.

 

 

They didn't "lose" the suspended guys, as they had never before taken a snap for the Bills (and at least one of them sucks anyway).  And the injuries were not predominantly as the Bills were "entering the season".

 

Even if that premise was true, it's the best scenario for a second year guy to step right up.  

[T master]

On 11/17/2025 at 11:06 AM, GreggTX said:

He has missed much time in his 1st 2 seasons, but he's clearly starting to get it. He is also an excellent athlete -- RAS was 9.88 out of a possible 10.0.

Assuming that he enjoys relatively good health, how good will he be 2-5 seasons from now? 

 

I'm not sure where his ceiling is but just about every time there is a stop on the D he is in on it this guy is fast becoming a great player for the Bills D and I love it because it shows all the nay sayers here that once again Beane has another draft pick that will be good for the team ! 

 

And now if Hancock can be another player that develops in this D it should be good for a minute ! 

Edited 7 hours ago by T master

[BananaB]

3 weeks ago he was another Beane bust. Hahaha

[GolfandBills]

[BuffaloMatt]

3 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

He clearly isn't any part of a solution.  

 

It's typical McBeane thinking.   When you're caught with your pants down you call some close to retirement guy you know.

I'll double down. I think Poyer is playing well! In the Buffalo Bills' Week 11 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Poyer led the team with 15 total tackles (seven solo, eight assisted) and recorded one pass defended.

[Mr. WEO]

26 minutes ago, BuffaloMatt said:

I'll double down. I think Poyer is playing well! In the Buffalo Bills' Week 11 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Poyer led the team with 15 total tackles (seven solo, eight assisted) and recorded one pass defended.

 

Poyer has always racked up tackles---often after getting plowed past the 1st down marker.  He's getting smoked continuously.

[behind a post WMS69]

On 11/17/2025 at 2:35 PM, 3rdand12 said:

Is this a chess piece reference lol 😂

I'm a chess guy and somehow missed this hreat reference. 

[HardyBoy]

18 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Hancock is mainly coming in at safety on passing downs. Lewis is playing dime. It could be it just "coincided" with JoPo going in. I suspect not though. I suspect a proper vet who actually knows football is making a significant difference. 

 

Ah Hancock and yes I knew that somewhere in my brain

 

do you think his issue was more run defense and getting confidence there allowed him to start just playing on passing downs and not think as much on those downs?

 

I guess, how does Poyer playing help Bishop on clear passing downs when Poyer is not in the game typically?

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, HardyBoy said:

 

Ah Hancock and yes I knew that somewhere in my brain

 

do you think his issue was more run defense and getting confidence there allowed him to start just playing on passing downs and not think as much on those downs?

 

I guess, how does Poyer playing help Bishop on clear passing downs when Poyer is not in the game typically?

 

I think it is just about learning what responsibilities are what on a down to down basis. Rapp is a bit of a loose cannon. Poyer knows the defense reads his keys and plays the scheme. When you get into a rhythm doing that it carries over even when Poyer is out of the game.

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

Here’s some interesting Cole Bishop stats that support just how versatile he is. 

 

Bishop is 1 out of 10 defenders to play 10% of snaps at linebacker, slot CB, and safety while also playing over 5% of snaps at the LOS. 

 

On run plays, Bills have allowed 1.3 fewer yards per rush when he aligns at safety.

 

So basically whatever issues against the run the Bills have, it isn’t Bishops fault. 

Edited 1 hour ago by ChronicAndKnuckles