Buccaneers 53-man roster prediction before final preseason game
By Josh Hill
Cornerbacks (5)
Depth Chart | Player |
|---|---|
CB1 | Carlton Davis III |
CB2 | Jamel Dean |
NB1 | Dee Delaney |
CB3 | Keenan Isaac |
CB4 | Anthony Chesley |
Whether the Bucs decide to carry five or six cornerbacks into the season determines how things shake out here -- which seems obvious but is a little more complicated than it seems.
Christian Izien isn't on this list, but he's listed under Safety as the second nickel corner in Todd Bowles defensive scheme. That's a workaround but also a sign that coaches want to do all they can to get him on the team. That's not great news for guys like Zyon McCollum and Josh Hayes, two guys firmly on the roster bubble with more reasons they don't make the team they do.
Hayes is expected to be added to the practice squad if he fails to secure a roster spot, while McCollum is slowly playing himself out of a job with a poor preseason. Struggles in coverage and tackling have been serious marks against the second-year corner, which combined with the rise of young corners impressing coaches casts doubt over McCollum's future in Tampa Bay.
Anthony Chesley is the guy who benefits the most from McCollum not being on the roster, as he figures to be the guy who slides into his spot. Tampa Bay deciding to carry six corners into the season, though, likely means McCollum gets one more chance to prove himself in the regular season.