Defensive Backs Climbing Bucs NFL Draft Board After Scouting Combine Performances
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could lose no fewer than three key defensive backs with cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting and safety Mike Edwards all headed for free agency.
If they can retain one, then the team will be on solid footing. If they can keep two, then we may throw a party.
Either way, the depth behind each of the players they may not even keep is less than ideal, making the secondary a group in need of talent infusion in this year's NFL Draft.
Here are three guys who gained ground on our Bucs draft board at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
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Oregon Ducks Cornerback Christian Gonzalez
Clear and away the big winner from his time in Indianapolis Gonzalez measured as long and tall as expected, but also showed fluid athleticism that's going to have every defensive backs coach in the league wanting their team to draft him.
Only one will get him, and unfortunately for Tampa Bay, he may have performed his way out of its reach.
Pittsburgh Panthers Safety Brandon Hill
Buccaneers' head coach appears to like his cornerbacks with some length and physical ability.
But his safeties get a little reprieve on the height and length requirements as long as they bring aggression and physicality.
This is where Hill comes in and after running a faster-than-expected 40 time he flashed some ball skills as well.
Edwards has made a lot of money being physical and playing well in zone coverage, and Hill could be the man to come in and be his understudy if the tape supports what he did on the field in Indianapolis.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes
There aren't a lot of tall and lengthy cornerbacks who have athletic traits that make them special in this class, but Forbes might be one.
He came in 5th overall in athleticism score according to NFL.com and ran the fourth-fastest 40 times while being the only one in the top four over six feet tall.
His frame is what knocks him down, but between technique on film and his clear athletic ability, someone who believes in their cornerback development program is going to take a chance on him.
And why wouldn't that be Bowles?
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While Gonzalez may have performed his way into the higher end of the first round and out of reach of the Buccaneers, there are still others who could play roles on the team moving forward.
Forbes represents a player who can come in behind either Dean or Murphy-Bunting assuming one of them re-signs, and provide immediate ball skills and ability combined with second-year player Zyon McCollum.
And in Hill, there's a potential backup box defender in his first season with the potential to grow behind Edwards or another safety brought in through free agency or earlier in the NFL Draft.
Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82
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