Buccaneers need Zyon McCollum to have a breakout season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Zyon McCollum in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. 

McCollum came to Tampa Bay as a raw, developmental project out of Sam Houston State, but was one of the most athletically gifted cornerback prospects to ever enter the draft.

That’s no exaggeration — at the time he was drafted, McCollum’s Relative Athletic Score ranked No. 1 out of 2,001 cornerback prospects from 1987 to 2022, giving Todd Bowles all the physical tools to mold him into a quality starter.

McCollum started just three games as a rookie, and nine in his sophomore year. His breakout came in 2024 when he started all 17 games and finished third in the NFL with 17 passes defensed. 

That breakout led to the team signing him to a three-year, $48 million extension last offseason. The Buccaneers were, and still are, counting on him to be the No. 1 cornerback of the future. But McCollum regressed last season, giving up a career-high six touchdowns in coverage.

It’s because of that regression that cornerback remains the biggest question mark for the Buccaneers entering 2026. If McCollum can return to form, he can put those questions to rest.

Buccaneers’ Zyon McCollum predicted for breakout year 

FanSided’s Mike Phillips named every team’s biggest breakout candidate for the 2026 season, and landed on McCollum for Tampa Bay. 

“McCollum, a former fifth round pick, is set to be Tampa's top corner and could make quite an impact with expanded playing time after recording 32 passes defensed in the past three seasons combined,” wrote Phillips.

Entering his fourth season and earning a hefty salary, the expectations for McCollum are through the roof, and the Bucs won’t be very patient. Todd Bowles’ seat is scorching hot, and he can’t afford another lackluster output from his defensive unit.

The starting job opposite McCollum is currently up for grabs between two second-year cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish. 

Morrison missed seven games due to injury last season, and went through typical rookie growing pains when he was on the field.

Parrish was impressive as the team’s starting nickel cornerback, and they’re giving him the chance to move outside in year two. 

While very promising, both of these players remain largely unproven. There’s no true veteran presence in the cornerback room, putting even more pressure on McCollum to step up and lead the pack. 

Another disappointing season from their CB1 combined with the inexperience of the rest of the cornerback room could spell disaster for Tampa Bay’s defense. If McCollum can return to his 2024 level of play, it would be a huge relief for the Buccaneers.

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