Tariq Thompson might not be a name folks in Buffalo know as Bills training camp rolls on. Bleacher Report thinks you should to learn it, though.
Recently naming the best undrafted rookie free agent for every team in the NFL, Thompson was B/R’s pick for the Bills.
Here’s why the safety from San Diego State was the selection:
The Buffalo Bills have a strong safety tandem in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. They also selected Pittsburgh’s Damar Hamlin in the sixth round of the draft. Grabbing Tariq Thompson post-draft wasn’t exactly a need-based move, but it could nevertheless pay dividends for Buffalo.
Thompson, a four-year player at San Diego State, has the size (5’11”, 210 lbs) and the physicality to thrive as a rotational safety or big-nickel defender. He’s also a ball hawk with a penchant for the big play. Over the past two seasons, he amassed 11 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, five interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
In Buffalo, Thompson will likely begin his career as a backup and special-teams standout, but he has the instincts and ball skills to make an impact in a defense that has Super Bowl aspirations.
B/R makes an interesting case for Thompson, but he certainly has an uphill climb. Not only is there the safety room to worry about, the nickel cornerback spot is pretty full with Taron Johnson, Rachad Wildgoose and specifically Siran Neal, Buffalo’s big nickel defender from the past few years.
Along with Thompson, cornerback Olaijah Griffin might be a solid UDFA to watch as well.
The cornerback has talent but lacks ideal size. Even Pro Football Focus touted Griffin following the 2021 NFL draft.
Time will tell on both players, but bare minimum, they could lock up spots on the practice squad at the end of training camp.
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