Cole Bishop to Buffalo: Bills Select Star Utes Safety 60th Overall

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Cole Bishop, the former star safety of the Utah Utes, was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round, 60th overall. The three-year starter looks to supplement the Bill's defense and was one of the top safety prospects this draft. The athletic and versatile safety was the 1st Ute taken in this year's draft, and after turning heads during the draft process, he looks to do the same at the Pro Level.

Bishop is being added to a safety room of Taylor Rapp, Mike Edwards, Cam Lewis, Damar Hamlin, and Kendall Williamson and looks to fit in while competing for the starting job. The Bills felt the need to go safety with the 60th overall pick, and Cole Bishop just happened to fall right into their laps.

Cole Bishop's Utes Resume

Cole Bishop played in 35 career games, in which he started 29 of them. During his Utes career, he received Pac-12 All-Conference Second Team honors in 2023 and was an All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2021 and 2022. He ended his career with 197 total tackles, 80 solo tackles, and three interceptions. Bishop was a 2021 three-star recruit out of Starr's Mills High School in Fayette County, Georgia, and chose the Utes over schools like Kansas State, Duke, Coastal Carolina, and Virginia.

During his freshman season, he led all true freshmen on the Utah Utes with 54 total tackles and five pass breakups. In his sophomore year, he made a leap in production with 83 tackles, one interception, three sacks, along with five pass breakups. This was his only season appearing in every game, starting 13 of them while missing a few games due to an injury his junior year. In his final season with the Utes, he led the secondary with 60 tackles, 9.5 third-down stops, and got two interceptions with three pass breakups. Cole Bishop won over the hearts of the people of Utah, becoming a fan favorite.

What are the Buffalo Bills getting in Cole Bishop?

The Bills are getting a versatile, strong, and smart defender in Cole Bishop, who can play at all three levels of the defense if needed. As a defensive coordinator, this ability to play anywhere is a great tool to have, and if development goes well, Bobby Babich has that tool. Bishop has the ability to track down balls and is a skilled tackler. He is able to take his angles and use them well and doesn't give up on plays. A strong point of Bishop's game is his football IQ, as he can recognize routes and shut them down quickly.

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However, while he has some burst, some describe his movement as rigid, and he lacks that long-distance speed. The Bills look to develop Bishop to his full potential. With the 60th pick, the Bills get great value with a high upside in the second round.