Buccaneers’ recent signings just put cornerback on notice

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are clearly not satisfied with their cornerback depth. 

After losing starter Jamel Dean and backup Kindle Vildor, the position suddenly became thin, and Todd Bowles made it clear that he wanted to upgrade the position. 

The Bucs have gone on to sign a pair of cornerbacks, but they seem poised to compete for a special teams role rather than significant defensive playing time. The recent signings have put Josh Hayes on notice.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Josh Hayes is the first cut candidate of the offseason 

The Buccaneers signed Kemon Hall and Chase Lucas earlier this week. Both are primarily special teams contributors, with Lucas playing over 200 special-teams snaps for the 49ers last year and Hall playing over 500 special-teams snaps over the course of his career.

Hall had a clutch touchdown-saving forced fumble for the Titans last year, and has recorded an interception in back-to-back preseasons. He’s shown the ability to make splash plays despite limited opportunities, and could play his way into a depth role in Tampa Bay.

This puts cornerback Josh Hayes on red alert. When asked to play significant defensive snaps so far in his career, he’s been dreadful in coverage which has relegated him to a special teams role. 

He’s been able to make the roster as the final cornerback in past years as a special teams ace, including leading the NFL in special teams tackles back in 2023. But with the team bringing in two corners with primarily special teams experience, it signals they want to bring in some competition for Hayes and put even more pressure on him to earn that roster spot. 

The 2026 NFL Draft hasn’t even happened yet, and the Buccaneers are still likely to draft another cornerback to add to the mix who can contribute significant defensive snaps, not just a special teams role. They might even bring more bodies as undrafted free agents, so the clock seems to be ticking on Hayes’ time in Tampa.

With three roster spots already claimed by Zyon McCollum, Jacob Parrish, and Benjamin Morrison, at least one rookie yet to be added to the mix, and now two veterans brought in specifically to compete for Hayes’ role, it sure feels like Jason Licht’s 2023 sixth-round pick will be looking for a new home or relegated to the practice squad next season. 

While these moves involving players at the bottom of the depth chart may seem insignificant, they demonstrate that Tampa Bay is turning over every stone and building the roster from the bottom up. The front office is clearly looking to raise the floor for every position group heading into next season, and that’s an encouraging sign that the organization isn’t complacent.