Bills sign one of NFL’s smallest players after big opportunity at minicamp – Democrat and Chronicle

The smallest player at Buffalo Bills mandatory minicamp made the most of his big opportunity.
Deven Thompkins was invited to One Bills Drive on a tryout basis on Wednesday. He left with a contract the nexst day.
The Bills signed the 5-foot-8, 155-pound wide receiver Thursday after he impressed during mandatory minicamp, adding one of the NFL’s smallest players and one of its fastest.
The move was part of a roster shuffle after minicamp as the Bills also signed wide receiver Max Tomczak, waived cornerback Dorian Strong with a non-football injury designation, and waived running back Desmond Reid and wide receiver Gabriel Benyard.
Thompkins is now the lightest player on Buffalo’s roster by 25 pounds.
For perspective, Thompkins gives up 14 inches and 176 pounds to Bills defensive tackle Deone Walker. They technically play the same sport. They just look very different doing it.
But Thompkins’ path to the NFL has never been about size.
The 26-year-old has relied on speed, toughness and perseverance to carve out a professional career.
Thompkins ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at his Utah State pro day before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022. He has played in 36 career games with the Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons, totaling 29 receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown.
His biggest impact has come on special teams.
Thompkins has returned 42 punts for 368 yards and 45 kickoffs for 1,005 yards during his NFL career, giving Buffalo another option in the return game heading into training camp.
Thompkins’ toughness was tested long before football.
When he was 6 years old, Thompkins survived a severe dog attack that left his tibia exposed, detached part of his calf muscle and required more than 100 stitches.
He developed into a three-sport athlete before becoming one of the most productive wide receivers in college football.Thompkins finished his career at Utah State with a breakout senior season in 2021, catching 102 passes for 1,704 yards and 10 touchdowns. He earned first-team All-Mountain West honors and was named a third-team All-American.
The top of the Bills’ receiver depth chart appears set after the team traded for D.J. Moore this offseaso to pair with Khalil Shakir. Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman and rookie Skyler Bell are expected to have roles, while Trent Sherfield, Mecole Hardman Jr., Valen Virgil and will compete for a roster spot and Tyrell Shavers recovers from a torn ACL.
Making Buffalo’s 53-man roster will still be a numbers game for Thompkins.
But the smallest player on the Bills’ roster has spent years proving the numbers next to his height and weight don’t determine whether he belongs in the game.

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