The Buffalo Bills will need to replace departed free safety Jairus Byrd in the starting lineup next season, and head coach Doug Marrone isn't ruling out the possibility that free agent signee Corey Graham could be the solution to that problem.

Marrone says CB Corey Graham is a "physical player" and could be in the mix at safety — John Murphy (@JohnMurphyShow) March 25, 2014

Doug Marrone says new CB Corey Graham will get a look as possible S replacement for Jairus Byrd. — Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) March 25, 2014

Marrone's exact phrasing, which you can read here, does imply that he'll get his first shot at the nickel corner, with the safety possibility mentioned almost in passing at the end of his thought.

Still, it's a concept that Bills fans have been discussing since Graham, 28, signed a four-year, $16 million contract with the Bills following Byrd's departure. But it's the first time that someone with the Bills has floated it as a possibility; in several interviews given since the signing (including this one from yesterday), GM Doug Whaley has mentioned only Da'Norris Searcy, Duke Williams and Jonathan Meeks as potential in-house replacements for Byrd.

Graham's best shot at playing time might come as a safety. Buffalo is settled in the starting lineup at cornerback with Stephon Gilmore and Leodis McKelvin, and nickel cornerback Nickell Robey is coming off of a rock solid rookie campaign, as well.