Bucs 2022 Camp Preview: Cornerbacks

Bucs coaching camp is drawing close to and it’s time to preview the Bucs roster place by place. Pewter Report will break down and study every roster spot, the gamers on the depth chart and preview the outlook for the 2022 season.

Subsequent up within the Bucs 2022 Camp Preview sequence is the cornerback place.

Cornerbacks:

The cornerback room stays largely intact from final season. Though the Bucs can be hoping for higher damage luck this yr. Carlton Davis III was re-signed to a three-year deal to maintain him a Buccaneer for the foreseeable future. Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting enter the ultimate yr of their contracts. Dean will look to construct on a formidable 2021 season. Whereas Murphy-Bunting seems to regain type after an injury-plagued season final yr.

Behind the highest three is an intriguing mix of youth and expertise. Ross Cockrell is the oldest nook within the room and was cross-trained at security final season. Rashard Robinson is extra of a particular groups ace and can look to carve out a job there. Dee Delaney notched two begins final season and has impressed along with his enchancment all through the offseason. The Bucs added a rookie to the room with Zyon McCollum, who was probably the most athletic corners within the draft. In addition they signed undrafted free brokers Kyler McMichael and Don Gardner, with McMichael receiving the best assured cash of any undrafted rookie signing.

Carlton Davis III

Davis stays one of many higher cowl corners within the league and was rewarded with a three-year, $45 million deal. He can successfully shut down one aspect of subject, besting a few of the high receivers within the league. With probably the most cross breakups since getting into the NFL, one massive level of emphasis on his sport can be creating turnovers. With a revamped entrance seven, Davis ought to as soon as once more get his fingers on loads of passes. The important thing can be turning them into interceptions.

2021 Stats: 39 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 11 cross breakups, 1 fumble restoration and an interception.

Jamel Dean

Dean has quietly developed right into a spectacular quantity two cornerback. He was the top-ranked nook final yr within the league when confronted with press-man protection and his pace permits him to maintain up with faster receivers. He had the Twelfth-best protection grade of cornerbacks who performed 400 snaps or extra, per PFF, and solely allowed one landing all yr. Dean ought to take a good larger bounce this season as he enters a contract yr.

2021 Stats: 53 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 9 cross breakups and a couple of interceptions.

Sean Murphy-Bunting

The season didn’t begin the best way Murphy-Bunting had hoped in 2021. Dislocating his elbow in Week 1 towards the Cowboys, he missed eight video games earlier than he was capable of return to the lineup. Whereas he had some struggles in protection, one space he was significantly good ultimately season was tackling ending Twelfth amongst corners with 400 snap or extra, per PFF. Heading into the ultimate yr of his rookie deal, Murphy-Bunting might want to have be extra constant and construct on the flashes he confirmed within the Bucs 2020 postseason run.

2021 Stats: 43 tackles, 1 deal with for loss, 3 cross breakups and a compelled fumble.

Zyon McCollum

The Bucs drafted the athletic nook within the fifth spherical this yr, buying and selling a 2023 fourth-round choose to maneuver again into the draft to pick him. He has the prototypical dimension and pace the Bucs seems for of their cornerbacks at 6-foot-2 with 4.33 pace. The upside potential with McCollum is off the charts. He had the best testing rating on the NFL Scouting Mix of any cornerback in historical past. A two-year captain in school he has particular groups expertise, and will carve out a job on protection if he picks up the sport fast sufficient.

2021 Faculty Stats: 50 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 5 cross breakups, and three interceptions.

Dee Delaney

After bouncing across the league his first two seasons, Delaney discovered a touchdown spot with the Bucs final season. He began two video games for the Bucs when accidents ravaged the nook room and recorded his first profession interception. The “MVP” of the offseason, Delaney was all over the place making performs throughout OTAs and mini-camp. He’ll look to construct off final season and is firmly in rivalry for the ultimate spot within the cornerback room.

2021 Stats: 17 tackles, 2 cross breakups, and an interception.

Ross Cockrell

The Bucs cross-trained Cockrell at security throughout coaching camp final yr, although he noticed most of his 2021 sport motion within the slot. Accidents within the secondary thrust him into the beginning line up for 4 contests. And whereas the veteran cornerback has the smarts and instincts to make performs, he didn’t at all times have the pace to translate. The oldest cornerback within the room, he’ll be pushed this camp by youthful competitors, needing a stellar camp to stay on the roster.

2021 Stats: 43 tackles, 7 cross breakups, and a compelled fumble.

Rashard Robinson

Robinson’s offseason didn’t get off to an important begin when he was seen sporting a forged on his proper wrist throughout mini-camp. Whereas the extent of the damage is unknown, the very best potential is availability and Robinson’s is unknown. His greatest guess is to point out out once more on particular groups the place he logged 120 snaps final season in comparison with simply 25 on protection. With youthful gamers on the roster and seemingly able to go at first of coaching camp, Robinson could have an uphill battle to climb to make the Bucs roster.

2021 Stats: 4 tackles, 1 particular groups deal with.

Kyler McMichael

McMichael has expertise in each man and zone protection schemes. He closes to the motion shortly, and is aggressive within the run sport, particularly within the field. The previous Tar Heel has loads of upside to work with and shows good protection consciousness and instincts. McMichael might want to enhance his determination making as a tackler, usually going for an enormous hit as a substitute of wrapping up. He exhibits inconsistency getting off blocks and can open his hips early permitting him to get circled in protection. McMichael obtained the best assured cash of any of the Bucs undrafted free brokers and can attempt to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

2021 Faculty Stats: 44 tackles, 7 cross breakups, and an interception.

Don Gardner

Gardner is bodily nook that performs downhill in run help and enjoys enjoying within the field. He’s obtained good dimension and pace and tackling potential. Gardner might want to get stronger and can face a a lot better stage of competitors. He’ll want to point out out on particular groups to have an opportunity to crack the Bucs roster.

2021 Faculty Stats: 28 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 5 cross breakups, and a couple of interceptions.