Micah Hyde

A second-team All-Pro in 2021, Hyde is coming off what was arguably his best NFL season. In 17 games, the 31-year-old matched his career-best of five interceptions, while recording ten passes defended, 74 total tackles and his first career defensive touchdown. He'll continue to man the starting free safety slot for Buffalo in 2022.

Hyde is a steady if not unsung performer, registering 72 tackles in 2019. This will be his fourth year in Buffalo following three strong seasons that include a 2017 Pro Bowl selection. Playoff aspirations and the goal of winning the AFC East mean that the Bills will need big years from their stalwarts, and they should be able to count on Hyde, who posted 72 tackles, two passes defensed, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, an interception and a kickoff return TD last season. He'll start alongside fellow safety Jordan Poyer in what makes up one of the league's best secondaries when you include star corner Tre'Davious White.

Free-agent signees are often decent contributors but overpaid. Hyde is one of the few examples of a new environment leading to a surge in production and great value for his new team. In his first year in Buffalo, his 82 tackles and five picks helped fuel the Bills to their first playoff appearance since the 1999 season. It bears noting that in his first four years in the league, Hyde never had more than 59 tackles or three interceptions, so the spike in 2017 could be a mirage.

Hyde's projection is a difficult one because he will likely be playing a new position in Buffalo, where he signed in free agency after serving primarily as a nickel/slot corner type with Green Bay the last four years. A college corner before that, Hyde as a pure safety is a relatively new idea. But Buffalo signed him to be one, so safety-like production should be expected. That means a likely new career high in tackles after previously setting a mark of 60. At a totally different position, there's a good chance Hyde bests that mark by 1.5 times.

Though primarily operating as a free safety in Dom Capers' 3-4 scheme thus far into his career, Hyde has also been worked in at strong safety over the course of the offseason as well. Heightened versatility only bodes well for Hyde's playing time prospects, but he flashes little-to-none IDP appeal in 2016.

Hyde shined in a utility role for the Packers last season, starting 12 games in the defensive backfield and taking two punts back for touchdowns while serving as the Packers' punt returner. He will be the Packers' nickel back in 2015, but tallied 59 tackles last year and is the rare defensive back who returns punts, making him a sneaky option in IDP leagues.

Hyde took on a big role in the return game for the Packers in 2013, with 531 kick return yards and 296 punt return yards. He has moved to safety after playing cornerback last season, and will get the first shot at the starting free safety spot despite the Packers' selection of fellow safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in the first round of this year's draft.

Hyde, selected in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Iowa, will compete for playing time as a reserve cornerback in training camp.