Summary

Cole Bishop was selected in Round 2 (#60 Overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft out of the University of Utah. A hard-nosed, versatile safety from one of college football’s most physical defensive programs, Bishop was a multi-year starter and tone-setter for the Utes. Over his collegiate career, he totaled 190+ tackles, 15+ tackles for loss, multiple interceptions, pass breakups, sacks, and forced fumbles, consistently impacting games as a box defender, blitzer, and coverage piece. He earned All-Pac-12 honors and was widely respected for his toughness, football intelligence, and consistency. Bishop entered the NFL regarded as a high-floor, pro-ready safety with strong instincts and physicality. Coaches and evaluators praise his competitive toughness, preparation habits, leadership qualities, and team-first mentality, traits that align closely with Buffalo’s defensive culture. His background in Utah’s disciplined, assignment-sound system has eased his transition to the professional level.

Strengths

• Physicality: Plays downhill with force and delivers clean, impactful tackles. Embraces contact and high-leverage situations.

• Run Defense: Strong box safety who fits gaps and defeats blocks with leverage. Secure finisher in space and between the tackles.

• Play Recognition & Anticipation: Processes quickly and understands route concepts and run fits. Times pressures well with effective closing burst on the quarterback.

• Intangibly Rich: Experience as strong safety, split safety, and sub-package defender. Vocal organizer with leadership presence on the back end.

Weaknesses

• Game Speed vs. Timed Speed: Despite timing out well in the 90th percentile in the forty, Bishop’s game speed is adequate but not elite.

• Man Coverage Ceiling: Can be stressed by dynamic slot receivers and tight ends. His range is more anticipatory than explosive.

• Hip Fluidity: Functional but not loose when transitioning against sudden routes. Best closer to the line of scrimmage than true center-field eraser.

• Ball Production Ceiling: More disruptive than turnover-heavy, but is starting to get his hands on more balls as he becomes entrenched as a starter in 2025.

Outlook

Bishop is an excellent fit for Buffalo’s physical, disciplined defensive structure, particularly in schemes that value downhill play, communication, and situational versatility at safety. He profiles best as a strong safety or hybrid defender, capable of rotating into the box, covering tight ends, and supporting the run while still functioning in split-safety looks. His toughness and instincts complement Buffalo’s emphasis on limiting explosive plays and winning with collective execution. Looking ahead, Bishop projects as a long-term starting safety or high-end rotational defender with a strong floor. While elite range limitations may cap true free-safety upside, his intelligence, physicality, and reliability give him every-down potential in the right role. As he gains experience and chemistry within the Bills’ secondary, Bishop has the tools to become a trusted defensive staple and tone-setter, particularly in high-leverage and postseason environments, similar to Reed Blankenship in Philadelphia.