The Buffalo Bills have serious depth issues at many positions on the defense, and cornerback is no exception. The team spent a first-round pick on the position in the 2017 NFL Draft, and they also brought in a couple undrafted rookies to push for a job. We profiled one of them earlier in this series. Now, let’s have a look at the other one.
Name: Greg Mabin
# 26
Position: CB
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 200 lbs
Experience: R
College: Iowa
Draft: UDFA (2017)
Financial Situation (per Spotrac): Mabin is playing on a one-year deal worth $465,000 this season. He’ll be an exclusive rights free agent next year, meaning he can only negotiate with the Bills. There is no dead cap hit if the Bills release him.
2016 Recap: As a senior for the 8-5 Hawkeyes, Mabin didn’t make much of an impact on the stat sheet. He failed to record an interception, and defended only three passes. His best game of the year saw him record six tackles (five solo) with a forced fumble in a 14-7 win over Minnesota.
Positional Outlook: Mabin is one of two undrafted rookie corners on the Bills’ roster right now. Marcus Sayles has better game tape, and a stronger record of productivity in college (albeit at a lower division), but Mabin has a distinct size advantage. In fact, Mabin is currently the tallest corner on the team, and one of only two who are taller than six feet.
2017 Offseason: Mabin was originally signed after the draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was waived on May 8 (possibly due to a hamstring injury), and signed by the Bills a few weeks later.
2017 Season Outlook: The only thing Mabin really has going for him at this point is his size. He wasn’t very productive in college at all, and he’s already been let go by one team this offseason. The lack of proven depth on the roster will give him a fighting chance, but it would be a shock if he made the final 53.