Buccaneers: Five Potential Team Members Playing in Super Bowl 51
New England Patriots Safety – Duron Harmon
The 26-year old former third round pick out of Rutgers has started 16 games in his four-year career and has turned in seven interceptions and nearly 100 tackles in what essentially equates to a full season of playing time.
This weekend marks his biggest challenge though, as he’ll be part of a Patriots secondary looking to contain the most lethal passing attack in the NFL this season.
Like many second-stringers this post-season has been a bit of an audition as he nears unrestricted free-agency later this year, and you can bet teams like the Bucs, Panthers and Saints will take special notice if this young man is able to impact the Falcons’ pass game.
Harmon possesses a well-rounded skill set which allows him to play up in support of the run and has seen him do well in the deeper parts of the field while also matching up fairly well against larger tight ends or stronger receivers in the league.
The Bucs need safety help, even with the late season emergence of Keith Tandy. Bradley McDougald certainly wasn’t a liability, but he wasn’t necessarily a playmaker either, and this Patriot may be looking for a starting position elsewhere after being molded by Belichick and his staff since 2013.