Two promising Bills defensive backs earn spots on ‘2024 NFL All-Rookie Team’

The Buffalo Bills made recent alterations to a secondary that has long been a beacon of continuity, moving on from stalwart starters Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, and Tre’Davious White in the 2024 offseason and, thus, eliminating a combined 284 team starts from the unit. The Bills supplemented these departures with additions through both free agency and the draft, signing veteran Mike Edwards in March before selecting safety Cole Bishop and cornerback Daequan Hardy in the second and sixth rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, respectively.

The turnover in the secondary, though significant on paper, likely won’t manifest in the form of on-field struggles; cornerbacks Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford, who started for the team down the stretch of the 2023 campaign, will return on the outside while Taylor Rapp, who spent the 2023 season with the Bills, is projected to man one of the safety spots. The team’s young additions also have high upside, with Bishop, who tallied 198 total tackles, 12 pass deflections, and four interceptions throughout his collegiate career, penciled in as a long-term piece in Buffalo’s defensive backfield.

NFL.com’s Chad Reuter feels as though his impact could be immediate, naming Bishop to his defensive “2024 NFL All-Rookie Team.” The analyst noted his prospective path to playing time, writing that he has the opportunity to prove himself early.

Related: Nike releases vibrant new shoe designed by Bills WR Keon Coleman

“With Jordan Poyer departing for Miami and Micah Hyde still a free agent as he mulls his future, the door was opened this offseason for Bills GM Brandon Beane to ordain Bishop as one of the team’s new defenders,” Reuter wrote. “Bishop will be one of the league’s better tacklers from Day 1, stopping ball-carriers in the open field thanks to his plus athleticism and knowledge of the game. 

“Bishop also proved capable as a blitzer while at Utah, and he was able to bait quarterbacks to throw his way in coverage. If Hyde does re-sign with the Bills, perhaps Bishop’s role won’t be quite as big right off the bat, but I think he could become a respected player early in his NFL career.”

Buffalo’s other rookie defensive back also earns a spot on Reuter’s All-Rookie Team, with the writer naming Hardy to the squad as a special teams returner. The speedster returned 17 punts at Penn State last season, averaging 14.6 yards per return as he scored two touchdowns.

“Buffalo is replacing Deonte Harty, who signed with Baltimore as a free agent, with Daequan Hardy in the punt-return game,” Reuter wrote. “Hardy led the FBS with two punt returns for touchdowns in 2023, making the first man miss before turning on the jets. 

Related: Potential breakout Bills WR named prime fantasy football sleeper

“Hardy could also join running back Ty Johnson in taking over for Khalil Shakir on kickoff returns if the Bills want the third-year receiver to focus on offense. Hardy is a competitive nickel corner, as well, but might need time to work into the role with Taron Johnson manning that spot.”

Bills general manager Brandon Beane has already stated that the team will allow the rookie to compete for its primary return duties, joking after his selection that Buffalo traded in “Harty for Hardy.”

Running back Ray Davis made an appearance on Reuter’s offensive 2024 All-Rookie team, meaning that Buffalo has a league-high three total representatives on the squad (tied with the Las Vegas Raiders). The Bills made a concerted effort to get younger in the offseason, and it’s encouraging to see their new additions receiving national praise.

— Enjoy free coverage of the Bills from Buffalo Bills on SI —