Buffalo eyes safety upgrades as Jabrill Peppers hits free agency, with five team fits named, including the Bills. Buffalo’s current safety depth features Cole Bishop, Damar Hamlin, and Taylor Rapp, plus internal youngsters Cam Lewis, Jordan Hancock, and Sam Franklin, with DeWayne Carter in the mix on the practice squad. Peppers’ eight-year resume—85 starts, 7 interceptions, 35 passes defended, 6 forced fumbles, 511 tackles, plus return ability—positions him to play a second-level role and add veteran versatility as Buffalo develops its youth movement.

Crabbs lists Washington, San Francisco, Baltimore, and Las Vegas as other interested destinations. If Peppers signs, Buffalo could leverage his pedigree to replicate some of Poyer’s 2023-second-level duties and free up Hamlin for more specialized or return work. The outcome hinges on fit, price, and how Buffalo values a flexible, veteran presence over continued youth infusion at safety.

Buffalo signed Forrest for veteran depth at safety, but spring camp didn’t push him past Hamlin or Bishop. A shoulder injury limited his 2023 tape, and an August cut trimmed Buffalo’s long list of safeties.

With Hamlin and Bishop leading, Rapp back as a steady option, and Hancock moving to safety as needed, Forrest’s departure narrows the path for veterans and widens the upside for the Bills’ younger backs, signaling a depth-forward approach for the season.

Jordan Hancock’s Bills baptism has been a patient, learning experience. A fifth-round rookie, he’s converting from corner to safety as Buffalo builds depth in a cerebral secondary. In his first notable preseason moments, timing on a blitz was off and momentum was lost, underscoring the learning curve at a new position. A subsequent rep showed improved snap timing and better balance, delivering a more favorable result for Bills fans. Coverage moments were mixed; he shadowed some routes but didn’t erase them, while hustle and a late tackle showcased the motor Buffalo values in its defensive backs. Overall, Hancock looked hesitant at times and a touch out of sync, but not afraid to mix it up or hustle. The bigger takeaway: he’s toward the learning curve, not a finished product, yet the toolkit is there for a productive developmental path in a Bills defense that prioritizes coaching and scheme.

Buffalo’s 38-0 setback at Chicago showcased depth over starters, not a season-long collapse. With most top players resting, the Bills used backups to gauge their Week 1 readiness and to gauge who can step up if injuries hit early.

Mitchell Trubisky opened as Buffalo’s Week 1 quarterback, while Mike White took the backup reps. White’s rough showing against Bears reserves could tilt the hierarchy toward Trubisky as the steadying presence behind Josh Allen, at least until the regular-season slate offers clearer snaps.

In the back end, safety depth drew scrutiny. Jordan Hancock flashed in flashes before a shoulder injury, and Damar Hamlin and Cole Bishop had rough moments. Those injury notes and performances matter for late-round safety targets and for monitoring how Buffalo will rotate behind starters.

The gassed second unit on defense and the broken run of tackling highlight depth concerns across the board. Buffalo’s ability to cleanly execute fundamental plays will determine how easily backups can plug in when Week 1 arrives, making depth charts and injury updates critical for early-season fantasy planning.