Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offseason Outlook: Cornerback Position
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shift their focus to the offseason, there are question marks at every position on the roster. In this series, we’ll look at each position grouping and see what the Bucs have on the roster who is an impending free agent, and the outlook for the 2024 season.
On The Roster
Carlton Davis
There's some uncertainty around Davis this offseason as he enters the final year of his contract. There's no doubting his talent as he's one of the top cover corners in the league. However, injuries and a lack of playmaking, combined with a young option on the roster and a deep draft at the position, have left his spot in question.
Davis is set to make $14 million in base salary along with up to $500 thousand in per-game roster bonuses for the 2024 season. But all of that money is not guaranteed. The team could save $6.3 million against the cap if they release him or trade him.
Jamel Dean
Another corner coming off a down year, Dean missed four games this year and his play wasn't at the level it was in 2023. Some of that was due to the scheme they ran early on but when he's in press-man coverage few corners are better than him in the league. He'll be back as the starting corner for the Bucs in 2024.
Zyon McCollum
The second-year corner dramatically improved in coverage and tackling and started nine games for the Bucs in 2023. He started nine games for Tampa Bay and while there were some up-and-down moments McCollum showed he could handle the responsibility. As the season went on and Dean and Davis were healthy the Bucs found creative ways to get McCollum on the field including seeing time at safety.
The young corner's future is in limbo next season as there's not a lot of clarity on where he will play if that is as a starter opposite Dean, perhaps a transition to safety, or just as a backup chess piece role.
Christian Izien
After winning the starting job out of camp, Izien started the season off hot with back-to-back interceptions in his first two games. He had some rookie struggles but held his own in a new position that saw plenty of action against some of the best slot receivers in the NFL.
Josh Hayes
Hayes predominantly played on special teams and led all NFL players in tackles on the season. He saw action in two games due to injury and didn't look out of place. Even if he doesn't develop into a starting corner or top backup he has shown he can be a core special teams player.
Keenan Isaac
Issac signed with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent following the draft. He was with the team through training camp and signed onto the practice squad after final cutdowns. He was elevated from the practice squad for three games and active for two of them recording snaps on special teams. He signed a futures contract with the team in January.
Quandre Mosely
Mosely signed onto the Bucs' practice squad in November for his second stint with the team. After coming into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022 with the Cowboys he bounced from practice squad to practice squad spending time with the Seahawks, Patriots, and Bucs that year. He signed a futures contract with Tampa Bay in January.
Impending Free Agents
Dee Delaney (RFA)
When Delaney first made the roster in 2019 there were some doubts but he has developed into a versatile chess piece for the Bucs. His ability to play both inside and outside at corner and safety brings tremendous value to the team. He played in all 17 games this season with two starts and turned in two interceptions. The lowest tender they can put on him is a one-year $2.8 million right of first refusal, though they could reach a new deal for less money.
2024 Outlook
There's some uncertainty at the position for the Bucs next season with what could play out with Carlton Davis. If he is retained the Bucs will return both started from last season. But if he is released or traded there will be an opening for a starting position. The team could roll the dice with McCollum or could look to a loaded draft at the position and hold a competition for the starting job.
In addition, they need to add more depth to the position. While Izien played well as an undrafted rookie in the slot they could look to upgrade there as well. It could be an interesting offseason at the corner position for the Bucs.
You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.
Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 offseason.
