As the Buffalo Bills kick off training camp, one undrafted rookie is flying under the radar. If he performs well in the coming weeks, he could end up being a surprise member of the Bills' final 53-man roster.
And his inclusion could mean the end of a fan favorite's time in Buffalo.
Wande Owens could take Damar Hamlin's spot on the Bills' roster
Even diehard Bills fans might not have heard of Wande Owens. The rookie undrafted free agent didn't exactly grab headlines when he signed with Buffalo, but he's in position to fight for a key roster spot in training camp.
Owens was an unheralded recruit out of Glenleg High School in Cooksville, Maryland. He played his first three collegiate seasons at Yale, where he quickly became a staple of the Bulldogs' defense as a cornerback.
Before his final season in college, Owens transferred to the University of New Hampshire. There, he primarily played as a box safety. He posted a career high in tackles, generating NFL buzz.
Throughout the draft process, Owens continued to fly under the radar. He didn't participate in the Senior Bowl or the Shrine Game, and he didn't receive an invitation to the NFL Combine. Owens went undrafted, but he was quickly scooped up by the Bills after the draft ended as one of the team's many UDFAs.
The Bills were in need of a safety this offseason after parting ways with Jordan Poyer a year ago. Cole Bishop and Taylor Rapp are set to hold the two starting positions, but the depth behind them is thin. Damar Hamlin is the clear backup, and rookie Jordan Hancock could fill in at either safety position if needed.
Then, it's just free agent signing Darrick Forrest and Owens. While Owens is the likely odd man out in the safety room, he has a chance to steal one of those coveted roster spots. His positional versatility and physicality could make him an ideal backup and open up a role on special teams.
If Owens does make the roster, it may be Hamlin that gets the boot.
Hamlin truly has one of the best stories in the NFL. It's incredible that he was able to make his way back onto the field after what happened. But if Owens wins this battle, Hamlin will have to continue his NFL story elsewhere. It may not get much attention, but this could be one of the most interesting stories coming out of Bills' training camp.