While Williams did make the team as one of four safeties the Bills kept, he lost out on the starting strong safety job to veteran Corey Graham.

It was never really much of a race even though Graham has never been a full-time safety. Williams and Bacarri Rambo will enter the season as the backups to Graham and Aaron Williams, giving the Bills a pretty strong safety unit.

Williams, who was previously thought to be the starting strong safety favorite following the offseason departure of Da'Norris Searcy, looks to have some new competition in Corey Graham, as Graham appears likely to be switched from cornerback to safety, BuffaloBills.com reports. Said coach Rex Ryan of Graham, "You want to get your best 11 on the field. This provides him an opportunity. He's got that unique ability where he can do both things. So let's see what we have out there. This is no slam on Duke (Williams), or (Bacarri) Rambo, or (Jonathan) Meeks or any of those guys. This is us doing what's best for the team. If that means Corey, we feel good about him playing safety, that's where he will be."

This is certainly not a done deal yet, and Williams still could win the job while Graham gets used as a super-utility type of player. But Graham is coming off an excellent season and has much more experience than Williams, so Williams is now far from a sure thing to see the bulk of strong safety snaps.

Williams is the early favorite to start at strong safety following the free agent departure of Da'Norris Searcy, BuffaloBills.com reports. Said coach Rex Ryan, "Searcy was an outstanding player, there's no doubt about that. But we feel pretty good about Duke (Williams). And really some other guys. (Jonathan) Meeks was coming on and got hurt, so we'll see. There's going to be some opportunities for other guys. Clearly, that's going to be a spot where when you lose a starter, the next man steps up. I think with Duke Williams in particular, we're excited to see what he can do."

Williams will have to fend off Bacarri Rambo, Meeks, and Kenny Ladler for the starting spot opposite Aaron Williams, but it seems the Bills are targeting him for what should be a key position in Ryan's new defense. Williams had 52 tackles and a pick while seeing the field for 48.6 of the defensive snaps.

With the recent departure of Da'Norris Searcy in free agency, Williams could get the opportunity to start at the open spot at safety this season across from Aaron Williams, BuffaloBills.com reports.

He's the frontrunner right now, maybe a clear one, as the Bills used their big free agent money on offense and don't have a lot left to spend. They also likely won't trust a rookie in that spot. Williams could get some competition from Bacarri Rambo, Jonathan Meeks, and Kenny Ladler, but the Bills seem to like Williams and it looks like the third-year player might get his shot in 2015. Williams logged 52 total tackles and a pick while playing a modest 49 percent of the defensive snaps last season, so he merits some watching if he does win a starting gig.

Williams (concussion) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Williams, who recorded six tackles last week, is out there if you need him Sunday, but with Da'Norris Searcy back in action, his IDP upside in Week 16 is capped.

Williams (concussion) is listed as probable for Sunday's game in Oakland after practicing on a limited basis Friday.

It sounds like he's passed the league's concussion testing to this point, though we'll note that even though Williams is expected to play, he'll probably serve as more of a sub this week with starter Da'Norris Searcy seemingly able to play after missing last week's win over the Packers.

Williams left Sunday's win over Green Bay in the third quarter with concussion-like symptoms and did not return, BuffaloBills.com reports.

Williams was starting at strong safety of an injured Da'Norris Searcy, so his absence left the Bills a bit thin in the secondary. However, reserve Baccari Rambo drew first blood against Aaron Rodgers for the first time in six games, picking him off twice in the second half, and the Bills went on to upset the Packers.

The Bills are giving 2013 fourth-round pick Duke Williams the first crack at their starting free safety job.

Corey Graham appears ticketed for cornerback. Williams' primary competition thus far has been Da'Norris Searcy, who's more of a run-support safety. Williams (5'11/203) runs 4.43 and has experience covering slot receivers from his college days at Nevada. Williams only played 35 defensive snaps as a rookie.

Bills agreed to terms with No. 105 overall pick S Duke Williams on a four-year contract.