The versatile defensive back looks to earn a larger role
The Buffalo Bills have been known to keep a few special teams guys around. Sometimes, those specialists make the team at the expense of players who might be otherwise useful on defense. However, there are some players whose main role might come on special teams, but those guys can also step in and easily play defense.
Today’s player in our “91 players in 91 days” series falls into the latter category. He’s been with the team for quite some time, and thanks to his efforts, he earned himself a big contract extension coming into this season.
Cam Lewis
- Number: 39
- Position: DB
- Height/Weight: 5’9”, 183 pounds
- Age: 27 (28 on 4/13/2025)
- Experience/Draft: 5; signed with Bills following the 2019 NFL Draft
- College: Buffalo
- Acquired: UDFA signing
Financial situation (per Spotrac): Lewis signed a two-year contract on March 11. That deal is worth $3.1 million overall and includes $1.55 million in guarantees. For the 2024 season, Lewis carries a cap hit of $1,481,500 if he makes the team. If he’s released, Buffalo will carry that $1.55 million total in the form of a dead-cap charge.
2023 Recap: Lewis was once again one of Buffalo’s core special teams players, as well as a backup to both nickel back Taron Johnson and safety Micah Hyde. He played a career-high 144 defensive snaps, as well as a career-high 322 special teams snaps. Lewis had 21 tackles, one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups during the regular season, and he notched four tackles in two playoff games.
Positional outlook: As stated above, Lewis remains the primary option to back up nickel corner Taron Johnson. The Bills drafted Daequan Hardy in April, and he is also a nickel corner. Two other players on the roster are listed at DB: Dee Delaney and Kendall Williamson. Buffalo’s traditional safeties are Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin, Mike Edwards, and Cole Bishop.
2024 Offseason: Lewis is healthy and participated in all offseason work. He’s ready for training camp.
2024 Season outlook: Throughout most of Lewis’ career, this would be the space where I’d note that the team seems to like him, but his roster spot isn’t a guarantee. However, thanks to the contract he signed this spring combined with the departure of former special teams stalwart Siren Neal, it’s pretty clear that Lewis is as close to a roster lock as one who doesn’t start on either offense or defense can be.
Only one special teams player — fullback Reggie Gilliam — remains on the roster who took more snaps in that phase of the game last year than Lewis. While he may be a liability on defense, he’s capable of filling in at multiple spots, which makes him more valuable in a pinch than someone who is a safety-only or a corner-only. Lewis is really Siran Neal’s replacement on special teams, and Bishop is likely Neal’s replacement in covering big-name tight ends on defense.
Regardless, Lewis is very likely to be on the roster come September, and he’ll likely be No. 1 or No. 2 in special teams snaps at the end of the season.