Bills 2025 NFL Draft: Best safety fits for Buffalo’s defense

The Bills may find drafting a safety in 2025 too good an opportunity to pass up.

The Buffalo Bills are in an interesting situation with regard to the team’s current safety group. They spent a second-round draft pick on Cole Bishop in 2024, and after some meaningful snaps in the playoffs, the hope is to see his promising potential blossom in 2025.

The Bills also have veteran safety and incumbent starter in Taylor Rapp with two more years left on his contract, but he has had injury issues. They round out their group with Damar Hamlin, who they re-signed to a one-year deal, and Darrick Forrest, who was brought in as a free agent and has 17 games of starting experience in four years.

Safety isn’t necessarily a top priority for Buffalo in the 2025 NFL Draft, but the position is an integral part of head coach Sean McDermott’s two-high shell defense. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the Bills take a safety in this year’s draft.

These top three “fits” are not necessarily who I believe the best players are, but rather players who go well with what the Bills are looking for at safety. Some of these prospects are projected high-round picks, and others’ names might be called on Day 3 of the draft. Here’s who I believe fits Buffalo best:

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Nick Emmanwori, S (South Carolina)

I believe Emmanwori would be a perfect fit for any team’s defense; he’s just a freak talent as a prospect. My number-one rated safety is one of the most athletic players to ever participate in the NFL Scouting Combine. His perfect 10.00 relative athletic score is insane.

No matter how crowded Buffalo’s safety group is, Emmanwori would find himself on the field. I believe he’s better in coverage than some give him credit for, and I would love to see how McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich would use him in their defensive scheme.

The Bills would need to draft him with their first-round pick if they want a chance at him, and it feels a little dirty spending premium assets at safety two years in a row. However, Emmanwori is a difference maker and would instantly improve Buffalo’s defense.

Andrew Mukuba, S (Texas)

Mukuba is a natural free safety who has the range and instincts to roam deep in one-high or two-high looks. He led the SEC with five interceptions.

I like the thought of Bishop and Mukuba holding down Buffalo’s safety spots for the foreseeable future. Both players can play deep or contribute in the box, so the Bills could keep teams guessing with disguising coverages like Poyer and Hyde were so good at.

Mukuba also has some experience playing in the slot, which would be useful in dime packages or if Taron Johnson were injured. The Bills love versatility.

Maxen Hook, S (Toledo)

Maxen Hook likely will come off the board sometime on Day 3, but he seems like just the type of DB general manager Brandon Beane snags in the late rounds. Hook led Toledo with 108 tackles and proved to be efficient in coverage, recording seven interceptions.

Hook has plenty of game experience being a four-year starter. I like Hook as an option on Day 3 for Buffalo and can peg him as a special teams contributor as the Bills mold him into a potential starter down the road.