The Buccaneers’ secondary in 2024 was a significant issue for the defense, and as a result, it forced the offense to engage in shootouts week in and week out. The team knew they had to address that group on defense during free agency or the draft, and they did that when they selected Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in April.
Because of the influx of youth from the NFL Draft, Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton is suggesting the Bucs make a move in his latest piece. He wrote about eight bold predictions heading into the new season and one involved Bucs’ veteran cornerback Jamel Dean. He is the latest to throw his hat into the ring, suggesting the team move on from him.
Moton writes, “Tampa Bay double-dipped at cornerback, taking Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in the second and third rounds, respectively. Both have experience lining up on the boundary. General manager Jason Licht believes Morrison will be ready to participate at training camp following hip surgery. If Morrison or Parrish shines in the summer, the Buccaneers may see Dean as an expendable veteran, especially with his current contract situation. Tampa Bay would save $12.9 million in cap space if it cuts him, per Over the Cap. Dean’s short-term future in Tampa Bay may hinge upon the performances of two rookies at his position.”
Dean has been with the Bucs since the team drafted him in 2019, so he was a part of their Super Bowl LV team. His veteran leadership is vital to the younger defenders in the secondary, but the price tag makes it a tougher conversation for him to stay.
Seeing how reps are split up during training camp, starting next week, will help paint a clearer picture in this scenario.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers predicted to cut 2024 starter as they get close to training camp
Reporting by Andrew Harbaugh, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
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