Buffalo Bills: 5 Position battles to watch against Detroit Lions

Backup Safety

There are two absolute locks for the safety position and we all know who they are. Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer are the best safeties in the league and likely will not play that much on Friday. Behind them, Buffalo has the weakest group they have had in recent memory. Usual backup Dean Marlowe left to play for the team the Buffalo Bills will visit Friday in the Detroit Lions.

Jaquan Johnson who has been on the team the past two seasons likely will be the direct backup and a strong special teams player like we have seen in the past but this is an important preseason for him to prove that he can truly hang at the safety position in the league.

Behind Johnson are a couple of rookies and a second-year guy competing for a backup role or maybe the practice squad. Sixth-round pick Damar Hamlin, undrafted free agent Tariq Thompson, and Josh Thomas, who was an undrafted free agent signing last offseason, all will get some snaps against the Lions.

Damar Hamlin is a guy to watch because of his draft status but also that he attended the same school as cornerback Dane Jackson who could play Friday as well. If those two can get off to a strong start with their chemistry then maybe Hamlin could play himself onto the roster or the practice squad.