Buffalo Bills Training Camp Battles: Cole Bishop's Running Mate
After touching on the linebacker battle in Part I and the CB2 position in Part II. Part III will focus on who will play alongside 3rd-year safety Cole Bishop this season. Jim Leonhard has called Cole Bishop a “jack of all trades,” saying he is the type of safety he was trying to be when he played in the NFL. So who does he envision playing safety alongside him is the question we are all wondering. Jordan Poyer and Taylor Rapp are no longer on the roster, and the Bills brought in C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone in free agency and drafted a Jalon Kilgore this spring. Damar Hamlin and Jordan Hancock return as the other two safeties filling out the roster with ST ace Sam Franklin.
The Obvious Competition
Gardner-Johnson's calf strain this week sent a scare through all of Bills Mafia, with what originally looked like a potential season-ending injury. There still isn’t a timetable for his return. Viewed as the frontrunner for a starting role, the hope is that he can get healthy before training camp is over and build chemistry alongside Bishop.
I think the next man up is viewed as Jalon Kilgore. Alot of analysts were suprised to seem him available when the Bills’ drafted him in the 5th round and he could use this as an opportunity to step into a starting role with the vacancy created now that Gardner-Johnson is sidelined for the time being. Would that be a bit scary week 1 having a rookie lined up next Bishop? A little bit, yeah. I think its better than rolling out Hamlin or Stone next to him though as starters vs depth pieces.
The Dark Horse Opportunity
Jordan Poyer has not officially retired so that is still an option for a player not currently on the roster but I don’t think its likely that the Bills seek an outside player for this role. My dark horse candidate is Jordan Hancock. Hancock was unfairly asked to learn a lot as a rookie, learning the corner positions on top of the safety role in Sean McDermott’s defense and he never looked comfortable in any of them. He’s currently on depth chart as the 3rd Free Safety behind Stone and Hamlin. I feel he can be the guy to take the leap if given the chance this preseason. He has the athleticism and the instincts. I am hoping that with a new regime they allow him to focus on one position and learn it versus trying to understand multiple roles in a new defense again.
My Prediction
C.J. Gardner-Johnson sits for the next 2-3 weeks to rest and recover before making a preseason game appearance. If that goes well he will be the opening week starter lined up next Cole Bishop. The Bills will not rush him back and he seems to be involved with his teammates and building a report with them so the chemistry can still develop even if its not on the field. Best case scenario is a healthy Gardner-Johnson that is a little rusty early on versus an injury that lingers throughout the season because they don’t let him fully heal.
Wednesday: Buffalo Bills Training Camp Battles: Who Starts Alongside Ed Oliver?
