Buccaneers: Five players to watch versus Washington

By Zach Sauers | Aug 31, 2017

CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 11: Jeremy McNichols of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball ahead of Jordan Willis of the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth quarter of a preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 04: Melvin Gordon /

Nickel-Javien Elliot

A walk on… an undrafted free agent… and now competing for a full time starting job in the NFL. Young nickel cornerback Javien Elliot’s journey through the football life has been far from easy, but he still finds a way to shine.

During the 2016 season, the then starter, Jude Adjei-Barimah was injured which left the door open for the young Elliot to take his spot. Elliot’s play through the campaign was remarkable for how raw of a prospect he was coming out of college.

Heading into the 2017 off-season Elliot knew that to win his job back it would be no easy task. Luckily for him, once again Adjei-Barimah was injured, which left the nickel spot open for the taking by him or veteran newcomer Robert McClain.

So far throughout the pre-season action, McClain has seen a majority of the reps with the first team defense… but that does not mean the door is shut. If Elliot is able to show up in a big way, he may just be able to see himself win the full time starting job.

Takeaways… takeaways… takeaways… I smell a pick.

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