Bills safety duo honored in NFL Top 100

On Sunday, August 21, both Bills safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde were announced as being a part of the NFL’s Top 100 players list. Hyde came in at number 50 on the list while Poyer was number 45, respectively.

The NFL Top 100 premiered on August 14 and each week they are announcing more and more members of the list, counting down from 100. The rankings are based on an offseason poll organized by the NFL where players vote on their peers based on their performance from the most recent NFL season.

The first Bills player announced on the list was Von Miller at 93, and next up was arguably the best safety duo in the NFL.

Prior to the 2021 season, Micah Hyde signed a two-year, $19.25 million contract extension with the Bills on March 5, 2021. In the 2021 NFL season, Hyde played all 17 games and had 5 interceptions (most for Hyde in a season), 59 yards, 1 touchdown, 10 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 53 total tackles, 21 assisted tackles (74 total tackles), and 4 tackles for loss. 

Hyde has turned into a great player for Buffalo and has the stats and film to show for it. Hyde is still playing at a very high level alongside Jordan Poyer and is preparing for his tenth season in the NFL. 

Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round in 2013, Hyde originally signed to the Bills on March 9, 2017 (5 years, $30.5M). He has started and played in nearly every game since signing with the Bills and has been a stand out in coverage. 

Hyde’s performance in Buffalo up to this point has consisted of 79 games played with a total of 14 interceptions, 172 yards, 35 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, 257 solo tackles, 356 total tackles, and 9 tackles for loss. 

Hyde’s ability to cover on the back end allows his counterpart, Jordan Poyer, to play freely and chase the ball around at a high level.

The Bills signed Poyer on the same day they brought in Hyde (March 9, 2017). It was a four-year, $13 million contract.

Poyer was drafted in the seventh round in 2013 by the Philadelphia Eagles. He didn’t catch on in Philly and was soon claimed off waivers by the Browns.

HC Sean McDermott named Poyer the starting strong safety to start the regular season in 2017, along with free safety Micah Hyde, and both have played side by side ever since. 

Poyer has played 79 games with Buffalo and has a total of 18 interceptions, 145 yards, 1 touchdown, 36 passes defended, 6 forced fumbles, 364 solo tackles, 519 total tackles, and 29 tackles for loss. 

On March 19, 2020, Poyer signed a two-year contract extension with the Bills. His performance in 2021 consisted of 5 interceptions, 87 yards, 9 passes defended, 66 solo tackles, 27 assisted tackles (93 total tackles), and 8 tackles for loss. 

Poyer recently asked for a contract extension and if he keeps playing at a very high level, a contract shouldn’t be too far away for him. 

This safety duo has helped the Bills get out of the drought and reach even further than most thought the Bills could go. The Bills ended their 17-year playoff drought when they both became starters in 2017. This safety duo has helped the Bills have a top 5 passing defense in the NFL in three of the last four seasons.

The Bills haven’t made it to the promise land yet, but they are right on the brink of a championship. They have strung together a few great seasons now, and Hyde and Poyer will hopefully lead the defense to more deep playoff runs, which hopefully ends in a Super Bowl for the City of Buffalo.

WR Stefon Diggs was also named an NFL Top 100 player on Sunday, as he came in at number 26 on the board:

Diggs has been a vital part of the evolution of not just Josh Allen, but the offense as a whole. He adds a dynamic playmaking ability and a trusted voice in the locker room which has elevated his team around him. Josh Allen, who should be announced soon on the Top 100, surely enjoys having Diggs around.

The top 20 players will be announced on NFL Network on Sunday, August 28 at 8 p.m.