The Buffalo Bills could look to move on from veteran safety Damar Hamlin after the NFL Draft.
Buffalo added Jalon Kilgore to the safety room at the NFL Draft, while the Bills also signed free agent safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone. However, Stone isn’t guaranteed a roster spot, as Buffalo also brought back Hamlin for depth.
Yet, Bills insider Joe Buscaglia believes Buffalo will likely move on from Hamlin, as the team didn’t give him much guaranteed money anyway.
“There are a lot of names at the safety spot, even without including Hancock. Bishop and Gardner-Johnson are extremely likely to be the starting duo if healthy,” Buscgalia wrote. “Being a fifth-round draft pick works in Kilgore’s favor in making the 53-man roster as a rookie.
“Franklin will be on the team for special teams. After that, expect a legitimate competition between Stone and Hamlin to make the roster outright. Based on guaranteed money, Stone ($187,500) has the edge over Hamlin ($25,000).”
Hamlin has been with the Bills since the team selected him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He appeared in just three games last season due to injuries, as he recorded 1 tackle. In 2024, he started 14 games, recording 89 tackles, 5 pass defense, and 2 interceptions.
Hamlin Wants to Make an Impact on The Field For Bills
Hamlin is a fan-favorite in Buffalo due to everything he went through.
During a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Hamlin suffered a life-threatening cardiac arrest on the field on Jan. 2, 2023. The safety had to be brought back to life, and not only did he survive, but the safety also made it back to the NFL field.
In 2024, Hamlin was a starting safety for the Bills, and he said his goal was to be known for his play rather than the guy who survived a cardiac arrest on the football field.
“I don’t want to be just known as the player who lived,” Hamlin said back in 2024 to NFL.com. “My story is my story. It’s still being written. But I want to be known for my abilities as well. I’ve always had big goals on and off the field. I have so much more that I want to accomplish.”
Hamlin ended up making an impact in 2024, while 2025 was filled with injuries. So, ahead of the 2026 NFL season, Hamlin will need to have a good training camp to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Bills GM Has High Praise for Kilgore
Buffalo added to its safety room at the NFL Draft by picking Jalon Kilgore in the fifth round.
After the NFL Draft, Bills general manager Brandon Beane had high praise for Kilgore and what he brings to the room.
“Jalon was another guy we really liked, and we had a pretty good value,” Beane said. “We sent (Bills secondary coach) Joe Danna down to work him out and spend some time with him. Very familiar with that program. Know Shane Beamer very well. I actually called Shane again this morning on my way in. Just wanted to run through him one more time. He was going back through some stuff that I didn’t even remember. Maybe I had heard before. Played at a high school where he was the best player on the team. …
“He’s a safety first. Played a hybrid, star, nickel position there. Their plan if he came back was to move him to safety and that is why we sent Joe Danna down just to do the safety stuff and talk to him. That’s where he will transition to.”
Kilgore recorded 54 tackles, 10 pass defenses, and 2 interceptions last season.
Bills Predicted to Make Intriguing Move on Damar Hamlin After NFL Draft