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 Jordan Poyer to the practice squad, reuniting the veteran with a defense that will lean on Cole Bishop and Taylor Rapp to start the season. The move mirrors last year’s Micah Hyde addition in December, aimed at stabilizing the back end and mentoring the young DBs as Buffalo navigates safety depth this year.

Poyer, a 2021 All-Pro and one-time Pro Bowler, is known for toughness and durability, helping Buffalo end a 17-year playoff drought early in his stint. His Dolphins stop last year felt like a homecoming, but he’s back in Buffalo with a chance to impact the rotation and depth, especially if injuries arise.

Overall, the signing bolsters veteran presence and could influence how the Bills deploy Bishop and Rapp, offering a safer floor for fantasy managers monitoring Buffalo’s defensive snaps and potential elevation from the practice squad later in the season.

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.

Buffalo’s safety spot remains unsettled as Cole Bishop fights back from injury-riddled development to prove he can be the complement to Taylor Rapp in 2024. Sean McDermott signaled the Bills aren’t settled on a second safety alongside Rapp, underscoring how injuries have slowed Bishop’s progression and how quickly the group must gel once the regular season begins.

In Chicago, Bishop’s coverage shortcomings surfaced on Olamide Zaccheaus’ 36-yard TD and highlighted the gap from the Poyer-Hyde era. The Bills lean on Rapp, Bishop’s rehab, and a veteran-heavy safety room while salting time itself for Bishop. With a brutal Ravens Week 1 slate looming, Buffalo needs a clearer path to two-safety consistency and a sharper run of practices to close the gap by Sept. 7.