Bucs Are Sending A Very Direct Message To Jamel Dean

I’m not advocating that the Bucs go through with this, rather just pointing out that it’s a legitimate option. We saw it all play out this offseason with Carlton Davis III being traded to Detroit because he missed so much time over the last couple of seasons with various injuries and he rarely produced interceptions when he was on the field.

Why would Tampa Bay want to move on from their top cornerback after trading their other best corner? Jamel Dean could see a similar fate as Davis unless he stays healthy and starts producing some interceptions on his own, especially after failing to record a pick last year. Dean missed four games last year and has never played a full season in his career. Injuries aren’t necessarily a player’s fault, but it seems to happen over and over in Dean’s case. If he’s going to be the highest-paid cornerback, he has to be available.

The team views Bryce Hall, who signed with Tampa Bay after four seasons with the New York Jets, as another starting-caliber player. So in the event Dean goes down again, Tampa Bay can turn to Hall with Zyon McCollum starting on the other side. That scenario certainly doesn’t bode will for Dean.

In addition to trying to stay healthy, Dean must become more of a ballhawk to justify his paycheck. He just isn’t getting his hands on the football enough, and when he does, he’s dropping would-be interceptions. Look no further than a huge missed opportunity in Tampa Bay’s 31-24 playoff loss at Detroit when Dean dropped an easy interception in the end zone. The Lions would kick a field goal to go up 3-0 on the next play.

Two seasons ago Dean recorded two interceptions, but they were in the same game in Week 2. So including three postseason games, Tampa Bay has played over the last two seasons, Jamel Dean has gone 29 consecutive games without an interception. What’s made it even worse is that he has had opportunities to take the ball away and he’s just dropped it.

Bucs Are Sending A Message To Jamel Dean

Tampa Bay cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross sent a very direct message to Jamel Dean heading into the 2024 season: “Catch the ball.”

Those were literally the first words out of Ross’ mouth when answering a question on how Dean can get better this year. Contributing as a steady interceptor will not only unlock so much more to his game – but keep him in Tampa Bay over the long haul instead of an early departure like Carlton Davis III saw this offseason.

“If [he picks off passes] he’s an All-Pro, he’s a Pro Bowler,” Ross said. “All he has to do is catch the ball. We’ve been emphasizing that in that room. And it really starts with me. I’ve got to increase more ball drills with those guys, I’ve requested these guys to catch 50 balls a day during this training camp right here. We’ll see, we’ve got to catch the ball. We could’ve led the league last year in takeaways had we caught the ball the way we needed to.”

It certainly wasn’t just Jamel Dean that let Tampa Bay down in the takeaway department. But it is time for the team’s top cornerback to step up. There’s no question that Dean can be a great cover corner and makes Todd Bowles defense better when he’s available.

Yet for the amount of money he’s getting paid, Jamel Dean needs to become more of a ballhawk or he could follow Davis out of Tampa Bay.