Bills' positional breakdown: FA addition one of four potential starting safeties

The Buffalo Bills have four safeties with starting experience including two incumbents, a highly-touted draft pick and a free-agent addition.

Aug 17, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (13) and safety Darrick Forrest (22) warm up before the game against the against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Bills could add another variable to the equation at the NFL Draft, but, at the moment, there will be a four-man competition for two starting safety spots.

Further raising the intensity likely to ensue, all four competitors have NFL starting experience.

Veteran Taylor Rapp has 66 career starts. Damar Hamlin, who re-signed to a one-year contract, emerged as a starter in 2024. Meanwhile, 2024 second-round draft pick Cole Bishop was a substitute starter as a rookie.

The newest piece to the equation is former Washington Commanders' starter Darrick Forrest, who inked a one-year free-agent agreement earlier this month.

"They have Rapp Hamlin Bishop and Forrest, so they've got a nice four-man competition for the safety position. Obviously, they felt they wanted to bring another safety into the mix. Forrest, he was a starter for Washington in 2022, so he played a lot of snaps," said NFL Films producer Greg Cosell during a recent appearance on One Bills Live.

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Taylor Rapp

Entering his third season in the program, the battle-tested Rapp was an unquestioned starter beginning Week 1 in 2024. He missed a handful of games due to injury, but managed 82 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble over 14 starts. Prior to arriving in Orchard Park, the 27-year-old Rapp was a full-time starter for the 2021 Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.

Dec 1, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) breaks a tackle attempt by Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp (9) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Cole Bishop

The Bills have high hopes for the No. 60 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he eventually showed flashes despite early injuries slowing his growth. Bishop was forced to start for an injured Rapp during the AFC Championship Game. He played 100 percent of the defensive snaps, totaling 10 tackles in the 32-29 setback.

Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) makes a catch against Buffalo Bills safety Cole Bishop (24) during the first half in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Damar Hamlin

The two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year finalist has remarkably returned to the playing field after surviving cardiac arrest in the next-to-last week of the 2022 season. After playing a backup role for most of his career, Hamlin stepped up to win a starting job in 2024 and never let it go. His experience in the defense makes him a viable candidate to retain his starting status.

Jan 19, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens in a 2025 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Darrick Forrest

Forrest comes to Buffalo after playing out his rookie contract with the Commanders. The 2021 fifth-round draft pick became a starter in 2022, but was sidetracked by a season-ending injury five weeks into 2023. In 2022, he recorded four interceptions, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

Sep 17, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) slides for a first down against Washington Commanders safety Darrick Forrest (22) and linebacker Cody Barton (57) in the fourth quarter | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

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