The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Buccaneers rookie report as the 2019 class is starting to click

By Rob Leeds

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tosses the game ball to a fan after running in a touchdown on a fumble recovery against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 01, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tosses the game ball to a fan after running in a touchdown on a fumble recovery against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 01, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 06: Sean Murphy-Bunting #26 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers intercepts a pass from Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a NFL game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 06: Sean Murphy-Bunting #26 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers intercepts a pass from Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a NFL game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

player. Scouting Report. 26. Sean Murphy-Bunting. 48. Pick Analysis. CB. 2

Sean Murphy-Bunting has been a bit of an enigma for the team thus far but overall has come a long way from the start of the season. SMB struggled for the first half of the year both with coverage and his overall head for the game. It seemed like at least once a game SMB was burned over the top or simply out of place when the defense desperately needed him to step up and make a play.

Despite this disappointing start Murphy-Bunting has been far better these last few weeks as has the rest of the defense. It has seemed as though once the coaching staff fully committed to the rookies on defense the level of play has greatly increased across the board.  This commitment to the rookies and the release of Vernon Hargreaves has allowed the first year corner to step into the limelight and excel at the nickel.

With his uptick in play and even before the season took the turn for the better SMB’s stats have been impressive. Murphy-Bunting leads the team in interceptions with 2 and also has 6 passes defended.

Getting on the stat sheet is good for the second round pick and with the remaining schedule it seems likely that SMB can add another pick or two and even possibly crack 10 passes defended on the season. As a whole, SMB has brought up his stock by a large amount and is currently in place to maintain his spot as a starter.

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