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Draft grades: Buffalo Bills select 'intimidating safety' and experts love his athleticism

Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are out. Enter Cole Bishop.

The Buffalo Bills selected the Utah safety with the No. 60 overall pick in the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday.

Bishop had 197 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 3 interceptions and 12 pass breakups over three seasons in Utah.

"Big-time ball magnet," NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah said. "You can use him to match up and cover tight ends. Plays with huge energy. Another one of those guys where it feels like if the ball is ever on the ground, Cole Bishop is there to pick it up."

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Bishop cut his teeth defending former Utah teammate and now-Bills teammate Dalton Kincaid in practice.

Here is how draft experts graded the pick:

CBS Sports

Large, intimidating safety with magnificent movement skill. The QB of the defense. Aligns everywhere. Can wear many hats. Excelled as slot defender and vs. TEs in coverage and runs the alley on outside runs as well as any safety in the class. Ball skills and tackling must improve. Short arms. Need filled.

Grade: A-

SB Nation

This is a great value pick for the Bills, who needed to get younger on the back end. Bishop is a good athlete who can trigger downhill. He’s a good fit for the Bills defense, and while he might not become a superstar, he’ll be solid for the Bills.

Grade: A-

Sporting News

Bishop fills a need with the team moving on from Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer but the Bills reached a bit for his pure speedy coverage skills as Bishop is deficient for now in the run-supporting part of his game.

Grade: C

Sports Illustrated

A three-year starter, Bishop filled a variety of roles. He played near the line, amassing 21.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He also has 4.45 speed, allowing him to roam as a center fielder.

Grade: B+

USA Today

After undergoing several significant changes this offseason, the Bills' secondary reloads with Bishop. His extensive range and ability to matchup against tight ends in man coverage should prove valuable in the early going.

Grade: B

Bleacher Report

The Utah Utes have consistently fielded one of the nation's best defenses since Kyle Whittingham ascended to head coach in 2005. A total of 32 Utah defenders have been drafted since that point. Safety Cole Bishop is the highest rated option from this year's crop.

Bishop is one of those defenders who could be found flying all over the field during any Utes game. It's because he's such an excellent and instinctive athlete.

The 6'2", 206-pound defender posted an eye-popping 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, to the surprise of many. According to Pro Football Network's Kent Lee Platte, Bishop is the 15th-most athletic safety coming into the league since 1987.

More importantly, Bishop's workout numbers translate to the field. He can be used in multiple roles depending on the system. He's going to close ground quickly, whether he's playing deep, in the box or blitzing a quarterback.

Bishop can immediately enter the Buffalo Bills' lineup and make an impact. As they transition away from their long standing safety duo in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, the incoming rookie can provide a solution to what previously looked like a transitional phase.

Grade: A

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Buffalo Bills expert draft grades for 2nd round pick Cole Bishop