Bills' Free Agency: 4 Available Options to Fill Glaring Hole in Defensive Backfield

The Buffalo BIlls have only two safeties under contract, and they've yet to add one in NFL Free Agency. Here are four options who make sense.

Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety Marcus Epps (39) reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field. | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

There's still plenty of time left to address the issue, but the Buffalo Bills are dangerously thin at the safety position.

Backup Damar Hamlin is a free agent. Cam Lewis, an emergency safety option, has signed with the Chicago Bears. Grizzled veteran Jordan Poyer, who took over as a starter midway through last season, is presumably ready to retire.

The Bills currently have only two safeties under contract — 2024 second-round draft pick Cole Bishop and versatile defensive back Jordan Hancock, who transitioned to safety full time as a fifth-round rookie in 2025.

"I'd love to find another Cole Bishop and pair him right there where you can do both," said Bills' general manager Brandon Beane while addressing a media scrum at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last month. "If we find a traditional box safety, then he'll probably end up in more free opportunities. If we find more of a free, rangy post guy, then Cole's gonna find himself closer to the box."

While Bishop, who can effectively play both the free and strong safety roles, is locked in as one starter, the Bills need to identify the right option to complete the tandem.

Buffalo Bills safety Cole Bishop (24) intercepts the ball on the last play of the game in an AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Although the 2026 NFL Draft class is deep at safety by multiple accounts, Buffalo would seemingly benefit by adding a salary cap-friendly free agent to the mix as well.

Here are four available battle-tested commodities worth exploring.

Jaquan Brisker

The Penn State product started every game for the 2025 Chicago Bears, recording 93 tackles and eight passes defensed. Brisker, who has two 100-tackle seasons to his credit, made 52 starts over the course of his rookie contract.

The 2022 second-round pick could fetch a contract in the neighborhood of three years for $33.3 million, according to Spotrac. That could prove to be out of Buffalo's price range.

Dec 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker (9) tackles San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) in the second half at Levi's Stadium. | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Xavier Woods

The 30-year-old Woods has started games for four different NFL franchises since being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2017. Following 119 tackles for the Carolina Panthers in 2024, he made only 11 appearances for the 2025 Tennessee Titans due to injury.

Ending the season on Injured Reserve, Woods was eventually released in late February. The grizzled veteran has started 121 of his 134 career appearances. The Spotrac projection puts his next contact at two years for $9.8 million.

Dec 7, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tennessee Titans safety Xavier Woods (25) intercepts a pass intended for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field. | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Marcus Epps

The former Wyoming Cowboy, who played with Josh Allen once upon a time in Laramie, has 94 career NFL appearances, including 49 starts. Epps started every game for the Philadelphia Eagles on their run to Super Bowl LVII.

The 30-year-old Epps suffered an ACL tear three weeks into the 2024 season with the Las Vegas Raiders. He returned to the Eagles last year, showing flashes of his old self over 12 appearances. His projected market value is at $3.1 million per year (Spotrac).

Dec 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) runs the ball against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Adoree' Jackson (8), linebacker Jihaad Campbell (30) and safety Marcus Epps (39) | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Ifeatu Melifonwu

The former Syracuse star could return to the region and fill a need for the new-look Bills' defense. After playing out his rookie contract with the Detroit Lions, Melifonwu spent the 2025 season in the Miami Dolphins' secondary.

The 26-year-old Melifonwu logged a career-high 547 defensive snaps last year, making 53 tackles in 16 games. He picked off Allen in the Dolphins' Week 9 win. Spotrac estimates his average annual value at $3.7 million on the open market.

Nov 9, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (9) makes an interception against Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images