Backup Safety
This could be my favorite battle in training camp. Unlike many other positions, there are not veterans with tons of experience trying to each these spots. They are all young players with minimal to no NFL game experience. Despite that, this group has shown some serious ability not only in camp but against the Lions. The starters at Safety are Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde who are one of the best safety duos in the entire NFL.
Behind them, 3rd-year player Jaquan Johnson has the lead for the immediate backup to those two but is not locked in. The two guys pushing Johnson and fighting for that last spot are Damar Hamlin and Josh Thomas. Thomas spent last season on the practice squad and had three tackles including an impressive tackle for loss against the Lions.
Meanwhile, Hamlin, a rookie 6th round pick had a couple of tackles, a sack, and a pass defended. Both guys flew all over the field and were making their names known. Right now Hamlin is listed as the other backup on the Depth Chart but Thomas is not too far behind him and does have an advantage considering it is his second year in Leslie Frazier’s defense.