Buffalo Rumblings
Could Owens be another small-school UDFA gem in the defensive backfield?
The Buffalo Bills have made a habit of taking small-school defensive backs and turning them into productive players in the NFL. On Buffalo’s current roster, Cam Lewis and Ja’Marcus Ingram quickly come to mind as players who were near-afterthoughts as undrafted free agents, yet they became productive reserves for the club. The Bills also took Villanova cornerback Christian Benford, who went from a sixth-round pick to one of the league’s top young corners.
That’s not to say that every UDFA or small-school corner should be expected to contribute to the 53-man roster. However, it does show that the Bills have an eye for talent in some hard-to-find places.
In today’s edition of “90 players in 90 days,” we discuss a former Ivy League safety who finished his collegiate career at New Hampshire.
Name: Wande Owens
Number: 30
Position: DB
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 210 pounds
Age: 24 (25 on 3/26/2026 according to ourlads.com)
Experience/Draft: R; signed with Bills following the 2025 NFL Draft
College: New Hampshire
Acquired: UDFA signing
Financial situation (per Spotrac): Owens signed a three-year contract with Buffalo, a pact worth $2.99 million. If he makes the 53-man roster, Owens carries a cap hit of $996,667 for the season. If he’s released, the Bills are on the hook for a $25,000 dead-cap charge, which is the total guaranteed amount on the deal.
2024 Recap: Owens played safety at New Hampshire last season, as he made the most of his extra COVID-eligible season. He was second on the team in tackles, notching 111. He had three tackles for loss, one interception, two pass breakups, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He returned his one interception 50 yards for a touchdown. For his efforts, Owens was named to the All-CAA Second-Team this season. He was also honored for his academic prowess, earning an NFF (National Football Foundation) Hampshire Honor Society nod.
Positional outlook: Owens is listed as a DB, but he played safety in college, so I assume that’s where he’ll line up primarily this summer. The other safeties on the roster are Cole Bishop, Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin, Cam Lewis, and Darrick Forrest. Jordan Hancock is also listed as a DB, and he might see some time as a hybrid safety/corner.
2025 Offseason: Owens has participated in all offseason work to date.
2025 Season outlook: While I suppose it’s unlikely that Owens makes the 53-man roster, he is at least an intriguing prospect who will have a chance to show his value this summer. If he performs well on special teams, he’ll increase his odds of sticking with the club in some capacity, and if he can play a hybrid safety/slot corner role, he may prove himself to be a valuable piece as a reserve. However, with Bishop, Hamlin, Rapp, and Forrest all feeling like locks ahead of him, it would take something wild to happen for Owens to be on the roster come September.
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