Jaquan Johnson
Jaquan Johnson has been the fourth safety for the Buffalo Bills over the last two years, sitting behind Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, and Dean Marlowe. Johnson has primarily been a special teams contributor in his first two seasons in the NFL, playing just under 50 percent of Buffalo’s special teams snaps.
He has played just five percent of the team’s defensive snaps in 2019-2020, but that may change in 2021. With the departure of Dean Marlowe to Detroit, Johnson is next in line for the top backup safety spot. Marlowe filled that role well, so Johnson will have some expectations if he does succeed Marlowe. Though it won’t be a large increase, Johnson will see an increase in snaps if he can fend off the three guys beneath him for the third safety spot.
Damar Hamlin
The Bills selected Damar Hamlin in the sixth round (212th overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft. Hamlin is a player who has great instincts but doesn’t have a whole lot of upside. Hamlin is a good tackler and should be able to contribute on special teams for the Bills in 2021.
Hamlin’s tackling ability should get him a spot on special teams with the Bills for 2021 and maybe beyond, but he will likely follow a path like Jaquan Johnson where he plays under ten percent of the team’s defensive snaps.
Josh Thomas
Josh Thomas is a second year safety out of Appalachian State who was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) after the 2020 NFL Draft and was on the team’s practice squad throughout the season. Thomas appeared in two games in 2020, making a tackle on 15 special teams snaps.
Thomas will likely be fighting it out with Damar Hamlin and Tariq Thompson for the final spot on the Buffalo safety depth chart.
Tariq Thompson
Tariq Thompson was signed as a UDFA by the Bills following the 2021 NFL Draft. Thompson had a decent career at San Diego State, intercepting 11 passes, defending 23, and forcing five fumbles in 45 games.
Thompson will have to battle Damar Hamlin and Josh Thomas for a spot on the roster, but he will likely start camp as the sixth safety due to his undrafted status and not having any NFL experience.