ESPN's Bills Reporter Alaina Getzenberg Published A 53-man Roster Prediction

Getzenberg's Roster Projection Leaves Damar Hamlin on the Outside Looking In

ESPN Bills reporter Alaina Getzenberg published a 53-man roster prediction on Thursday that did not include safety Damar Hamlin, signaling a difficult path for the veteran as Buffalo prepares for training camp. Getzenberg published her 53-man roster prediction on Thursday and didn't have Hamlin making the roster.

In explaining the omission, Getzenberg wrote that "safety depth has turned into a strength," which "leaves Damar Hamlin in a tricky spot." She elaborated further, noting "the edge in versatility goes to [Jalon] Kilgore and [Jordan] Hancock, while [Sam] Franklin was brought back for his special teams abilities." Despite the tough projection, ESPN's accompanying camp preview noted Hamlin certainly has a chance to make the roster, but he'll have to prove why he deserves a spot as a contributor on defense and special teams.

A Crowded Safety Room

Hamlin's uncertain standing stems largely from a significantly deeper safety group entering 2026. Buffalo is working with a new head coach, Joe Brady, and defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, which means that players who were previously on the roster might not be part of the new coaches' plans. The Bills bolstered the position this offseason by adding veterans CJ Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone, along with drafting Jalon Kilgore in the fifth round, creating stiff competition for depth spots behind presumed starter Cole Bishop.

Other outlets have echoed similar sentiments. Bills Wire's Nick Wojton offered a prediction in which the team won't have room for safety Damar Hamlin, suggesting Gardner-Johnson will slide into a starting role alongside last year's incumbent starter, Cole Bishop. SBNation analyst Fernando Schmude similarly believes the depth is now too strong for Hamlin to secure a spot on the 53-man roster and expects the team to part ways with the veteran safety in the coming weeks.

Contract Situation and Track Record

Hamlin, who joined the Bills in 2021 , re-signed with Buffalo this offseason, though the deal offers no guarantees. There was some speculation that the Bills weren't going to bring back Hamlin after the past season, but they did sign him to a one-year, $1.2 million contract, which doesn't guarantee him a spot on the roster, as it is relatively short and not a large amount of money.

Over his career in Buffalo, Hamlin has appeared in 53 games with the Bills, starting in 27 of them, recording 185 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions. Should he not make the 53-man roster, there remains a possibility he could rejoin the organization on the practice squad, given his familiarity with the scheme and prior contributions.

Bills veterans are set to report to training camp in the final week of July, where Hamlin will look to prove he still has a role on Buffalo's revamped defense.