Tag: Cole Bishop

2024 NFL Draft: Grading Bills draft pick of Cole Bishop

2024 NFL Draft: Grading #Bills draft pick of Cole Bishop:

The Buffalo Bills selected Utah safety Cole Bishop with the 60th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Buffalo used their second pick of the round to fill another need on the roster. The Bills neglected to re-sign Micah Hyde, and they cut Jordan Poyer as part of a cap crunch.

It’s a new era for Buffalo’s secondary, as team management looks to replace arguably the most productive safety tandem in team history.

Bishop garnered rave reviews for his football IQ. He often identified plays ahead of the snap, allowing him to be aggressive at the point of attack.

Bishop covers a great deal of space on the field. His ability to track sideline-to-sideline is a train that will work well for Sean McDermott’s secondary.

Bishop made 29 starts during his time in a Utah uniform. He recorded 197 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and three interceptions in his collegiate career.

Bishop will need to work on his man coverage skills at the next level. While his aggressiveness is a positive attribute, he can also be guilty of being a bit overly aggressive and not taking the best angles to the ball carrier. Bishop needs to make certain he is not drawn in and led astray by misdirections and fakes from NFL quarterbacks.

Overall, his selection fits well with Buffalo. Bishop can play multiple roles in the Bills secondary. He was active in all levels of the Utah defense last year. Bishop will be in contention to be a starter in Week 1.

Grade: A-

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 12, Utah S Cole Bishop

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Utah safety Cole Bishop.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

The more a player can do, the more valuable they become. Now, let that phrase sink in since I’m sure your mind is blown right now. 

In all seriousness. Versatility is king and Cole Bishop is a player that can do a bit of everything for a defense. The Utah safety checks in at No. 12 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

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Bishop, a three-star recruit out of Georgia, recorded 54 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks and five pass deflections during his first season on campus. In 2022, Bishop recorded 83 tackles, six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one interception.

This past season Bishop recorded 60 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions. 

“The Utah defense is consistently strong as a collective unit, but Bishop was their unquestioned leader,” Alex Markam, the publisher of UteNation.com said. “It was like having another coach on the field. If there was a big play to be made, he typically found himself in it whether it was in the secondary, making a stop in the box, or coming up with a crucial tackle for loss.”

Bishop did a bit of everything in Morgan Scalley’s defense. During his first two seasons, Bishop primarily played the Star position, logging 331 snaps in the slot. This past season he logged most of his snaps at free safety. He also logged snaps at linebacker.

Bishop excels playing downhill and is a hyperactive run defender. He’s fearless in run support and is tough as nails. The former three-star recruit has sideline-to-sideline range and always seems to be in on the action. He’s a disciplined player, who is rarely out of position and takes appropriate angles to the football. 

The Utah safety is an effective blitzer. Over the past two seasons, Bishop has recorded 4.5 sacks and 33 pressures.  He times things up perfectly and showcases the closing burst to throw off the timing of the quarterback. 

“This is where I feel like he can be elite, although I’ve seen some reports that want him to tackle better,” Markham said. “From everything I’ve seen though, Bishop is a sure tackler and a hard-hitter. His understanding of the gaps as well as every position on the defense, allows him to get in a good position nearly every snap.”

The Utah defensive back has good field awareness and trusts his eyes. Bishop processes things quickly and shows good route recognition. When in the slot he has the short-area quickness and fluidity to stay attached in phase. He showcases a quick trigger and delivers crunching blows when he arrives. 

“Bishop has a nose for the football, takes the right angles and if he’s not breaking up the play, he’s making the stop on one of the cornerbacks’ assignments,” Markham said. “His football IQ is absolutely off the charts.”

Bishop logged 219 snaps on special teams during his time at Utah. With his speed, toughness and motor, Bishop could be an immediate impact player on special teams. 

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Bishop answered any questions that teams may have had about his athleticism. Bishop clocked a 4.45 40-yard dash, posted a 39-inch vertical and a 10-04 broad jump.

Fit with the Packers

Gutekunst wants versatility in the secondary. Bishop would provide that versatility, with his ability to play in the box, man the slot or cover real estate in the backend.

“When you can draft someone who brings you leadership and rock-solid defense, who wouldn’t draft them? Bishop is the type, with all of his intangibles, that a team can build a defense around and watch him lead,” Markham said. “He’s always had a high floor. Bishop may never be the headliner of an NFL defense, but his presence alone on the field will make an NFL defense better.”

The Packers took a massive step to improve their safety room when they signed Xavier McKinney in free agency. Even with the addition of McKinney, there is still plenty of work to be done to improve the depth around him.

With his ability to wear multiple hats, Bishop fits the bill for what Gutekunst is searching for in the secondary. The Utah safety is a three-level player. He’s an asset in run support and showcased the toughness and instincts to play in the box. He can match up with slot receivers and tight ends. He has the range to cover real estate in the backend and he would be a day-one contributor on special teams.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler predicts trade up for Bills at 2024 NFL draft

The Buffalo Bills are on the way up in the 2024 NFL mock draft laid out from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. The outlet’s lead NFL draft analyst put together a seven-round projection and the Bills make one of the splashes in it. Originally slated to …

The Buffalo Bills are on the way up in the 2024 NFL mock draft laid out from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.

The outlet’s lead NFL draft analyst put together a seven-round projection and the Bills make one of the splashes in it. Originally slated to select at the No. 28 overall slot, Buffalo moves up to No. 17 in a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

With that move, the Bills select LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. To get there, it’s predicted Buffalo sends the No. 28, 133, and 144 spots in this year’s draft and a second-round pick in next year’s draft to make it happen.

The trade breakdown:

The Bills need their draft picks to remodel the roster with young, low-priced depth, but general manager Brandon Beane is an aggressive drafter and has never shied away from moving up in the first round to get his guy. Thomas is an outstanding size/speed athlete with better route-running skill than given he’s credit for, and he’d give Josh Allen a new WR1 on offense.

A key in that deal is the Bills’ ability to keep their 2024 second rounder, especially after their projected compensatory selection that was expected to be a third rounder ended up being in Round 4.

In terms of Thomas, he’s a popular player mocked to Buffalo. However, the issue is whether or not he would still be on the board. In this mock, likewise to what Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane often does in reality, he does not sit, wait, and hope. He moves for the player he wants.

Thomas has previously confirmed that he has had pre-draft meetings with the Bills as well.

Thomas, a 6-foot-4 receiver, had an impressive breakout 2023 at LSU with 68 catches for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns. With his connections to Buffalo during the pre-draft process and the clear need the Bills have at receiver, this is a realistic scenario.

The mock goes on to run through the remaining rounds. The rest of Buffalo’s picks, along with highlights of Thomas, can be found below:

Round 2, No. 60: Safety Cole Bishop, Utah

Round 4, No. 128: WR Javon Baker, UCF

Round 5, No. 160: OL Beaux Limmer, Arkansas

Round 5, No. 163: Nelson Ceaser III, Houston

Round 6, No. 200: DT Tyler Davis, Clemson

Round 6, No. 204: DT Ethan Driskell, Marshall

Round 7, No. 248: RB Kiami Vidal, Troy

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell: Greg’s favorite players in the 2024 NFL draft

In this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell,” Greg details the attributes of his some of his favorite prospects in the 2024 NFL draft class.

With just a few weeks until the 2024 NFL draft gets underway on April 25, it’s time to get a bit in the weeks with our prospect evaluation processes. So it is in “The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” with Greg (of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup) and Doug (of USA Today Sports Media Group and Touchdown Wire) discussing some of Greg’s favorite prospects in this year’s draft class.

  • Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
  • Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, Purdue
  • Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State
  • Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
  • Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
  • Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
  • Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas
  • Cole Bishop, Safety, Utah

You can watch this week’s “Xs and Os” right here:

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You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

…and on Apple Podcasts.

2024 NFL Draft: Utah safety Cole Bishop scouting report

Utah safety Cole Bishop is one of the most amazing athletes at his position; if he can shore up a few things, he could be a star in the NFL.

A three-star recruit out of Starr’s Mill High School in Fayetteville, Georgia, Cole Bishop got a very nice start with the Utes, amassing 54 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks to go with five pass breakups as a true freshman in 2021. Bishop was named Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention in both 2021 and 2022, but 2023 was when Bishop’s coverage abilities really came around.

After allowing opponent passer ratings of 107.4 and 104.2 in his first two seasons, Bishop dropped that down to 67.8 in 2023, allowing 14 catches on 26 targets for 170 yards, 58 yards after the catch, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and one pass breakup. He also had three sacks, 12 total pressures, 47 solo tackles, 22 stops, and nine missed tackles. Bishop was a 2023 Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist, and participated in the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

PLUSES
 
— Bishop has on-field speed that stands out over and over on tape; it gives him the ability to play everywhere from blitzer to robber to post safety.
 
— Can match and carry speed receivers up the chute and to either boundary; has true sideline-to-sideline burst both as a safety and occasionally as an outside cornerback.
 
— Has a nice backpedal and turn and can play press-bail. Very versatile in coverage.
 
— Eager and aggressive (sometimes too aggressive) tackler who can level the boom when his technique is on point.
 
— Has the wherewithal to come down hard from the second and third levels to erase screens and other short passes.
 
MINUSES
 
— On-field speed can be a blessing and a curse; he’s eager to get to the receiver, but can be waylaid by backfield action and route concepts.
 
— Tackling can be an adventure. Bishop has the acceleration to get anywhere, but you don’t always know what’s going to happen from a tackling perspective when he gets there.
 
— Needs to better square up and hit the hole with authority when coming down from the box — he’s not always a disciplined landmark player. Short arms might add to this issue.
 
Bishop is one of the more fun players to watch in this draft class; you’ll want to throw on some early Metallica as a soundtrack for his play style. His NFL coaches will have to rein the more random elements of his frenetic demeanor, but over time, he could be a multi-position star in the pros.

How a bumper crop of unexpected free agents impacts the safety class in the 2024 NFL draft

How a bumper crop of unexpected free agents impacts the safety class in the 2024 NFL draft

It’s hard to get draft analysts and talent evaluators to agree on pretty much anything, but it’s difficult to find anyone bullish on this year’s draft class at safety. It became a bit of a parlor game during last week’s NFL Scouting Combine to try and figure out if any safeties would be selected before the end of the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

It’s not a strong safety class. In my personal rankings, two safeties are ranked in the top 50: Utah’s Cole Bishop and Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin. They are No. 38 and 40, respectively — and I’m higher on both than most analysts.

In short, the draft supply at safety isn’t looking all that good. And with each passing few hours, the safety class keeps becoming less and less important for teams looking for immediate help.

That’s because the free agent market has suddenly, unexpectedly become flooded with quality starters. Over the past few days, a decent crop of free agent safeties have been joined by a veritable who’s-who at the position.

Since the NFL Scouting Combine safety workouts last week, all of these safeties have been released by their teams:

Kevin Byard, Eagles

Rayshawn Jenkins, Jaguars

Jordan Poyer, Bills

Jamal Adams, Seahawks

Quandre Diggs, Seahawks

Justin Simmons, Broncos

These are not insignificant players. Poyer was an All-Pro in 2022. Simmons earned second-team All-Pro status in four of the last five seasons. Byard was fifth in tackles by a safety last season and a first-team All-Pro in 2021. Diggs ranks third in the NFL overall in interceptions since 2019.

Earlier in the offseason, Chicago dumped veteran stalwart Eddie Jackson and Detroit released longtime starter Tracy Walker.

They join a group that already features appealing starters like Xavier McKinney of the Giants, Detroit’s C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Kam Curl from Washington, and Buffalo’s Micah Hyde—and that’s far from a complete list of safeties worthy of signing around the league. Heck, while I was producing this very article, the Steelers cut experienced starter Keanu Neal.

All of a sudden, the free agent supply of starting safeties has gone from a decent but limited pool to a well-stocked lake full of players. Teams can find other fish in that abundant sea. Presumably, the high supply should keep the costs down in landing one of the free agents, too.

What does that mean for the draft class?

Perhaps the easiest way to answer that is by asking a hypothetical question:

Pretend you’re an NFL GM and need a starting safety in 2024. Would you rather sign an established veteran for what will likely seem under market value, or would you take a risk on the thinnest (at the top anyway) draft class at any position?

That doesn’t seem like a difficult choice. That’s bad news for 2024 draft prospects like Caden Bullock, Kam Kinchens, Jaden Hicks and Dadrion Taylor-Demeson (a personal fave). Those potential Day 2 selections could very well get pushed down the draft priority chart into Day 3 because teams won’t have the urgency to reach for them, knowing better, more proven option to provide immediate help are readily available.

And that might ultimately benefit the safety class. They’re less apt to be tossed into the deep end of the pool without any swim lessons or floatation devices. They can develop more at their own pace without the pressure of “perform or else!” It could also allow individual teams to be more patient in targeting a specific player who seems like a great fit instead of rushing to snatch a safety who might not profile as well for its defense.

As for its draft stock, however, it sure looks rough for the safety class as the NFL approaches free agency with more safeties hitting the open market by the hour.

 

6 takeaways from Day 2 of the NFL Combine

Six takeaways from Day 2 of NFL combine testing with the DBs and TEs.

The NFL Scouting Combine continued with defensive backs and tight ends taking the field in Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday afternoon.

The importance of the combine is more for the medicals and team interviews but the testing does help confirm what you see on tape or it may force you to go back to take a look because a prospect performed better than expected or fell short of expectations.

The secondary will be the focus for Chris Ballard with it being a weak point on the roster heading into the offseason. For the tight ends, it is a crowded room for the Indianapolis Colts, but that didn’t stop Ballard from selecting Will Mallory last year, and this class does include the potential playmaker in Brock Bowers who can help elevate the group.

Here are the six biggest takeaways from Day 2 of the NFL combine:

Potential safety targets in 2024 draft for Jeff Hafley’s Packers defense

Who could be safety targets in the 2024 draft for Jeff Hafley’s Packers defense?

If the Green Bay Packers were to play a game this Sunday, they’d roll out Anthony Johnson Jr and Benny Sapp III as their two starting safeties. With Darnell Savage Jr, Rudy Ford and Jonathon Owens set to be free agents, Brian Gutekunst will need to get new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley some safety help this offseason.

“I think it’s an important spot,” Hafley said during his introductory press conference on Thursday. “I think that guy back in the middle of the field, when things break down – when they throw the ball up in the air, he has to go and get it. I think it’s a very important spot in the defense.”

As a team last season the Packers picked off just seven passes, with three of those interceptions coming from the safety group. If it’s up to Hafley, that number will rise during his first season as defensive coordinator at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

“I want a guy who can erase things,” Hafley said. “We gotta eliminate explosive plays when we play this defense, so if a run hits up the middle, this guy’s gotta come out of the middle field with his hair on fire, he’s gotta be able to get a guy down. I also want him to be a guy, when a ball carrier is wrapped up, he goes and he finishes off the pile. I want a guy who can go from sideline to sideline and take the ball away. I think that position has to be a guy with high ball production, meaning he’s gotta be able to intercept the ball. He’s gotta be a guy that can communicate and he’s gotta be a guy that can get guys lined up and make some calls back there and I’d love a guy that can play man, so I guess I’m describing the perfect player to you, but those are some of the traits I’d look for in playing that position.”

There is a lot to digest from what Hafley looks for out of his safeties. Let’s take a look at some defensive backs that fit the bill and that could be targets for the Packers in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa

Yes, technically DeJean is listed as a cornerback. If the Packers zone in on the Iowa product, they’d likely view him as a hybrid defensive back. He has the rangy athleticism to play centerfield to be the field eraser that Hafley described. He’s quick to trigger coming downhill in run support. Most importantly, DeJean has natural ball skills. Over the past two seasons, DeJean picked off seven passes, broke up 13 passes and scored three touchdowns. He’s the playmaker that Hafley’s defensive scheme needs.

Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

While Nubin may not be the rangiest of safeties in this class he checks a lot of boxes with his ball production and willingness in run support. He’s the first natural safety that came to mind when listening to Hafley describe what he looks for in a safety. 

The Gopher safety is a great communicator from the backend and recognizes route concepts. He’s rarely out of position and doesn’t give up explosive plays. He keeps everything in front of him. A former high school wide receiver, Nubin has natural ball skills and finished his career with 13 interceptions. As a run defender, he has the downfield burst and takes proper angles to the ball carrier.

Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami

When talking about natural safeties, Kinchens may have the range in this draft class. He covers a lot of real estate in the backend. Over the past two seasons, the Miami safety picked off 11 passes and broke up 11 more. He understands route combinations and has good field vision. While he’s a willing participant in run support, he’s prone to the occasional whiff (24 missed tackles over the past two seasons). 

Javon Bullard, DB, Georgia

Bullard has the toolkit to be a high-end hybrid defensive back. A former track athlete, Bullard recorded four interceptions and eight pass deflections over the past two seasons. He has the fluidity and short-area quickness to line up in the slot and the range to cover the backend. He flies downhill in run support and packs a little punch when he arrives. 

Calen Bullock, S, USC

The USC safety may have the most natural ball skills of any safety in this draft class. He plays the ball like a wide receiver and finished his career at USC with nine interceptions and 15 pass deflections. He has disciplined eyes and covers a lot of real estate. His poor tackling may keep him off Green Bay’s board. 

Beau Brade, DB, Maryland

The Maryland product brings a versatile skill set. He can play in the box, in the slot or high. He has a quick trigger coming downhill, but will need to clean up his tackling (35 missed tackles over the past two seasons). He has good field vision and is an explosive mover.

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, DB, Texas Tech

The Texas Tech defensive back has a radar for the football. Over the past three seasons, Taylor-Demerson has picked off 10 passes and recorded 33 pass deflections. He has true centerfield range and a high football IQ with good route instincts. Taylor-Demerson has outstanding closing burst when he attacks downhill against the run.

Malik Mustapha, DB, Wake Forest

If Hafley wants a defensive back that plays with his hair on fire, he may fall in love with Mustapha. He’s as tough as nails and flies downhill in run support. He plays with a thumper mentality and lays the wood upon arrival. The Wake Forest defensive back is at his best coming downhill, he has enough range to play in the backend.

Sione Vaki, DB, Utah

Another player that plays like his hair is on fire. The Utah defensive back is a heat-seeking missile and he wants to knock you into another dimension. He’s an explosive athlete and is quick to process the action in front of him. He’s a versatile prospect who can wear multiple hats in Hafley’s defense.

Cole Bishop, S, Utah

The Utah safety is at his best playing closer to the line of scrimmage, but he’s capable of filling multiple roles for a defense. Whether he’s playing in the slot, in the box or deep, Bishop is always around the football. 

Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State

Like Bishop, Hicks is at his best playing closer to the line of scrimmage. That doesn’t mean he can’t roam the middle of Hafley’s defense. Hicks is an active run defender and explodes downhill to meet the ball carrier. Line him up in the box, in the slot or deep, it doesn’t matter, the physicality that Hicks plays with is exactly what Green Bay’s defense needs. He’s another safety who plays with a relentless energy that Hafley is looking for as he looks to build this defense. 

Josh Proctor, S, Ohio State

Hafley coached Proctor during the 2019 season at Ohio State. Talk to anybody around that covered Ohio State this past season and they’ll tell you Proctor was one of the leaders on that defense. He’s a cerebral player who is a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none type prospect. He’s just a well-rounded player that can wear multiple hats.

Vikings 2024 7 round mock draft 5.0: Drafting to win in 2024

What would a Minnesota Vikings 2024 NFL mock draft look like if they wanted to win next year? Tyler Forness takes an in-depth look.

The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of different ways they can go in the NFL draft. There will be some discussion on what needs are most important but the Vikings can address most of them through both free agency and the NFL draft.

Each week throughout the leadup to the NFL draft, I will be doing different seven-round mock drafts for the Vikings as a way to explore different scenarios. You never know who might fall to you and how that could cause a ripple effect and being ready for those situations is paramount come draft weekend.

In the second rendition of our seven-round mock draft series, what could a draft look like that has the Vikings drafted to win in 2024?

Mock Draft 1.0
Mock Draft 2.0
Mock Draft 3.0
Mock Draft 4.0

Lions 2024 NFL Draft report: Cole Bishop, Safety, Utah

Bishop is a big, hard-hitting safety with an excellent track record of tackling and making plays

It is finally draft season for Lions fans.

Brad Holmes and his front office have proven they are very capable of putting together great draft classes. They have had major hits on every day of the draft, but especially on Day Two. This roster isn’t in desperate need of much because of his work, but they do have some positions that need to be addressed.

This offseason, they should be focusing on getting better play out of their defensive backs, adding depth on the defensive line, and building out the wide receiver room.

These scouting reports should introduce you to some of the names that Lions fans could hear during the three days of the NFL Draft.