Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jamel Dean looking like a draft-day steal

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drew some skepticism when they selected three defensive backs consecutively during the 2019 NFL Draft, but it’s already paying off.

Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport identified players drafted just two months ago who already look like they could be steals. On the list was Greedy Williams of the Cleveland Browns, D.K. Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks, and the third round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jamel Dean among others.

In addition to Sean Murphy-Bunting in the second round, and Mike Edwards also in the third round, Dean was selected between the two other defensive backs on day-two of the draft. To this point, they all three look like steals and fit like a glove in defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ defensive system.

Where Dean stands out from the other two is his size as he is listed at 6-1 and 206 pounds. Where Edwards can play at the third level of the defense and in the slot and Murphy-Bunting can play outside or inside the numbers, Dean will be relegated to just an outside cornerback; and that is okay.

"“The Buccaneers also spent a pair of Day 2 picks on corners last year in Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart, so it will take consistency and improvement from Dean to earn a prominent role in 2019. But Dean’s blend of size and speed is the stuff of dreams for NFL coaches” (Davenport via Bleacher Report)."

Dean’s Relative Athletic Score is off the charts at 9.93, as he has elite size, speed, and explosion. He did, however, test with just okay agility, which again is not a big issue if he is playing outside the numbers.

It is not everyday that a team finds a cornerback with the size and speed of Dean. If Bowles can get the most out of him and his knee holds up, the Buccaneers may have landed the next great lock-down cornerback.