As the offseason continues, you may be wondering what the future holds for Bills safety Damar Hamlin. After being drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Hamlin had an impressive rookie campaign, appearing in all 17 games and making three starts. The former Pittsburgh Panther finished with 28 tackles, two passes defended, and one forced fumble. While Hamlin still has room for improvement in coverage, his physicality and run defense were encouraging signs for Buffalo.
With a full NFL offseason under his belt, Hamlin is poised to take another step forward in his development. The Bills have a need at safety opposite Micah Hyde, and Hamlin will compete for an increased role. His progression will be an important storyline to monitor over the summer and into training camp. If Hamlin can build on his rookie year and continue improving in pass coverage, he has a chance to become a long-term starter in Buffalo’s secondary. The future is bright for the young safety, and Bills fans should be excited to see what he accomplishes in year two.
Damar Hamlin’s 2020 NFL Season Recap
As a rookie safety for the Buffalo Bills in 2020, Damar Hamlin showed promise for his future in the NFL.
- Hamlin was drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. He played in 15 games for the Bills, starting in two. Hamlin recorded 26 total tackles, including 18 solo tackles and eight assisted tackles. He also had two passes defended.
- While Hamlin’s stats were not eye-popping, he displayed athleticism, instincts, and physicality that could translate well to a larger role. The Bills have a solid safety duo in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, so Hamlin was not expected to start immediately. However, with more experience, he may develop into a starter or key backup.
- One area Hamlin could improve is creating turnovers. He did not record any interceptions, forced fumbles or fumble recoveries in 2020. For safeties, especially in the pass-heavy AFC East, turnovers are an important metric. With more playing time and comfort in the Bills’ defensive scheme, turnovers may come.
- The future looks bright for the young safety. Hamlin will likely see more playing time in 2021, and could become a starter in 2022 or 2023. The Bills hope Hamlin develops into a long-term starter and key piece of their secondary. After a solid rookie campaign, Hamlin appears poised to become an impact player for the Bills defense for years to come.
Overall, Damar Hamlin had a promising start to his NFL career in 2020. While still developing, he has shown potential to become a key contributor and maybe even a starter for the Bills defense in the coming seasons. The Bills and their fans should be excited to see what the future holds for this rookie safety.
Projecting Damar Hamlin’s Role on the 2021 Bills Defense
As a rookie safety, Damar Hamlin showed promise in his first NFL season with the Buffalo Bills. While he only started 2 games, he saw action in all 16 and finished with 28 tackles. Hamlin’s role is poised to expand in 2021.
Hamlin should have more opportunities to start this season. The Bills lost safety Dean Marlowe in free agency, opening up more playing time. Hamlin gained valuable experience in 2020 that will translate to a larger role. The Bills run a lot of three-safety sets, so Hamlin may frequently join the lineup in those packages.
- Hamlin excels in run support and tackling. He had 24 solo tackles last season, demonstrating his ability to limit yards after contact. The Bills allowed the fewest rushing yards per game in 2020, and Hamlin will help maintain that strength.
- Hamlin’s pass coverage skills need refinement but showed promise. He allowed a 77.8% completion rate in limited targets. With more snaps, Hamlin can gain the experience to improve in coverage. The Bills have a strong secondary, so Hamlin will benefit from learning alongside veterans.
- Special teams will also be an area for Hamlin to contribute. He played on kickoff, kick return, and punt teams as a rookie. The Bills special teams unit was top 10 in several categories last season, so Hamlin’s efforts will be impactful.
The future looks bright for Damar Hamlin in Buffalo. His athleticism, work ethic, and team-first mentality will allow him to thrive in an expanded role. Hamlin has the potential to become a long-term starter and leader on a Bills defense built to dominate for years to come. After a solid rookie campaign, Hamlin appears poised to break out in 2021.
