Bills Host Free Agent Visit With Former Colts DB

Blackmon would easily slide into Hyde’s role as the free safety in head coach Sean McDermott’s defense. However, his versatility may be an added bonus for Buffalo, who could play him in the box more than some anticipate.

Before this season, Blackmon had played the vast majority of his snaps as a free safety, aligned away from the line of scrimmage. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, though, has changed the way Blackmon was utilized – and was successful in doing so.

Blackmon saw career-high snap counts in the box and at slot corner in 2022 and followed that up with a more pronounced change. Blackmon spent 48.3 percent of his snaps at free safety in 2022 compared to 9.3 percent in the box. Last year, those percentages shifted to 31.2 percent and 47.4 percent respectively.

Thus, one cannot rule out that Blackmon’s role may look more like Poyer’s relegating re-signed safety Taylor Rapp back to being the third safety.

While his role nor signing his official – this is simply a visit – Blackmon would be a strong add to the Bills secondary. His ability to tackle has improved with his time closer to the line of scrimmage, even if he’s better at defending the run from upfield.

In coverage, though, he fared exceptionally well this season, ranking 19th among 66 qualified safeties by Pro Football Focus’ coverage grade. Poyer and Hyde ranked 16th and 30th, respectively.

PFF also projects Blackmon to see a two-year deal worth $5.75 million annually, fitting within Buffalo’s budgetary constraints.

It isn’t clear just how close the Bills are to acquiring Blackmon, but he’s a fit that makes sense and an ample replacement for the team’s new-look secondary.