Bishop recorded 40 total tackles (25 solo), two passed defended and one forced fumble over 16 regular-season games in 2024.
Bishop, a 2024 second-round pick out of Utah, started just four regular-season games for the Bills during his rookie season, primarily serving as a reserve safety. Despite that limited role, the 22-year-old showed flashes of brilliance, most notably when he led the team with 10 total tackles while playing 100 percent of Buffalo's defensive snaps in the AFC Championship Game loss to Kansas City while filling in for the injured Taylor Rapp (back/hip). Bishop could compete for a starting role in 2025, especially with current starter Damar Hamlin set to hit unrestricted free agency.
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Bills' Cole Bishop: Set for start in AFC Championship
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Bishop is slated to start at safety alongside Damar Hamlin in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
Bishop, a rookie-second round pick out of Utah, will be stepping in for Taylor Rapp (back/hip), who was forced out of last Sunday's divisional-round win over the Ravens and was unable to practice this week. During the regular season, Bishop finished with 40 tackles, two passes defensed and a forced fumble over 16 appearances. He played exclusively on special teams in the wild-card win over the Broncos and logged three tackles across 50 total snaps (39 on defense) in the divisional round.
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Bills' Cole Bishop: Participates in full
Rotowire
Bishop (shoulder) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
The 2024 second-round pick out of Utah dealt with a shoulder injury throughout August, but it appears he's moved past the issue after a full practice Wednesday. Bishop is currently slotted as Buffalo's second-string free safety behind Damar Hamlin, but don't be surprised if Bishop's playing time increases as the season progresses.
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Bills' Cole Bishop: Dons red non-contact jersey
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Bishop (shoulder) returned to practice Tuesday and did not participate in contact drills, Ryan O'Halloran of The Buffalo News reports.
Bishop suffered a shoulder injury at the end of July, which has kept him from participating in practices and preseason games. He's progressed enough in his recovery to take part in walkthroughs and individual drills, but he will avoid engaging in contact and will likely not suit up for Buffalo's preseason finale against Carolina on Saturday. Once healthy, Bishop -- the Bills' second-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft -- could see some meaningful defensive snaps early in the regular season due to injuries to safeties Damar Hamlin (hamstring) and Mike Edwards (hamstring)
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Bills' Cole Bishop: Showing improvement
Rotowire
Bishop (shoulder) is slated to take part in walkthroughs and parts of individual drills at practice this week, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
Bishop injured his shoulder during practice in late July and hasn't been able to participate in any capacity since. His impending return to limited practice participation suggests that the rookie is improving, but it seems unlikely that he'll be able to suit up for the Bills' exhibition finale against Carolina on Saturday. As a 2024 second-round pick, Bishop is still likely to make the 53-man roster, and he's expected to work in a backup role while also serving on special teams.
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Bills' Cole Bishop: Another Buffalo DB goes down
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Bishop suffered an undisclosed injury during Tuesday's practice and did not return, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
The Bills already lost veteran Mike Edwards this week to a hamstring injury, and now the rookie from Utah will join him on the sidelines. Buffalo did bring in Kareem Jackson on a one-year deal Tuesday, so there is at least one reinforcement available for a secondary that already lost long-time stars Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde this offseason.
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Bills' Cole Bishop: Inks first pro deal
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Buffalo signed Bishop and seven other players to rookie contracts Tuesday, Chris Jenkins of the Bills' official site reports.
Bishop, defensive lineman DeWayne Carter, running back Ray Davis, offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio, defensive end Javon Solomon, tackle Tylan Grable and cornerback Daequan Hardy all signed their deals Tuesday, leaving second-round wideout Keon Coleman as the last rookie to sign. As for Bishop, he has a good chance to be the team's No. 3 safety behind Taylor Rapp and Mike Edwards following a standout career at Utah.
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Bills' Cole Bishop: Buffalo bound in second round
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The Bills selected Bishop in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 60th overall.
Bishop has big shoes to fill as the Bills attempt to replace both of their longtime standout safeties (Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde), and it won't be easy to imitate their high level of play over the years. With that said, coach Sean McDermott is a scholar of defensive backs, and there's no doubt his coaching helped maximize both Poyer and Hyde. What makes Bishop especially interesting is that, unlike Poyer and Hyde, he's a big-time athlete. At 6-foot-2, 206 pounds, the Utah standout logged a 4.45-second 40-yard dash in addition to a 39-inch vertical. The challenge for McDermott will be to harness Bishop's superior athleticism and transform the rookie into the technicians both Poyer and Hyde developed into. Bishop could soon establish a major presence both on the field and in IDP fantasy formats.
