The Pewter Plank
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3 Buccaneers who shined vs. Browns in week 3

By Cory Kinnan

TAMPA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 23: Demetrius Harris #88 of the Cleveland Browns has a pass broken up by Jordan Whitehead #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 23: Demetrius Harris #88 of the Cleveland Browns has a pass broken up by Jordan Whitehead #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Jaelen Strong #10 of the Cleveland Browns has a pass broken up by M.J. Stewart #36 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Jaelen Strong #10 of the Cleveland Browns has a pass broken up by M.J. Stewart #36 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

CB M.J. Stewart

This offseason, all the hype was surrounding rookies Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean. Yet as the regular season is less than two weeks away, second year cornerback M.J. Stewart has them both topped in a competition for the nickel spot for the Buccaneers.

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Stewart, drafted in the second round a year ago, was moved to safety earlier this year and then moved back to cornerback around the same time as Ryan Smith’s suspension. Now Stewart is on the verge of starting for the Buccaneers in the slot with Carlton Davis and Vernon Hargreaves on the outside.

Against the Browns, Stewart was all over the field, and while Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry were not on the field for the Browns, Stewart did not play down to the level of competition on the field. He finished with three solo tackles and a pass defended against Cleveland in limited action on the field.

With the nickel role all but locked up, do not expect Stewart to play much against the Lions. There is no way around it, Stewart earned the role he finds himself in now after a strong battle against Murphy-Bunting.

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