With training camp set to kick off for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there aren't going to be a lot of position battles when it comes to starting jobs. Although, there is at least one worth monitoring.
When the Bucs drafted Benjamin Morrison out of Notre Dame in the second round, that put one particular starter on notice. It's Jamel Dean, and Dean very well could be clinging to his starting job right now.
It might sound a little odd at first glance, especially considering Dean once signed a notable extension with the Bucs just two years ago. However, when you look at the fact that he is entering the final year of his contract with Tampa Bay, Dean looks even more expendable.
Benjamin Morrison was drafted as a direct replacement for Jamel Dean, and training camp could prove it
Dean was once a promising corner who deserved every penny of that $52 million contract. However, since signing that deal, he has been on the downward trend.
Injuries seem to be an issue more often than not for the veteran. Dean has never played a full season, believe it or not. Last year, he missed five starts. The year before, he missed four. But, injuries are not the only reason why Morrison's presence should be worrisome.
If Dean took a look at his own film, it wouldn't take him long to realize that, many times, he is on the wrong side of a big play by the opposing offense. Also, there is a subtle category which should be major cause for concern with Dean's play.
Three seasons running, Dean has allowed a higher completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks. Over the 2021 season, Dean allowed an impressive 48.5 percent completion his way, per Pro Football Reference. But, it ballooned all the way up to 69.7 percent for the 2024 season.
That's nearly 70 percent of the balls being completed when Dean is targeted. In short, that's abysmal.
Morrison's presence and confidence should lead to him supplanting Dean, and it could happen in a hurry. We know that a contract year is often good motivation for a veteran, but Morrison might be too good to keep on the bench at this point.