The writing has been on the wall for the last 2 seasons and now, in 2025, time may have finally run out for Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton added to the growing chorus of voices predicting Dean’s days with the Buccaneers are numbered in his list of the “Boldest Predictions” coming out of NFL training camps.
“(Dean) lands on the potential cuts list as a mild surprise given his status as a full-time starter over the previous four seasons … Tampa Bay double-dipped at cornerback, taking Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in the second and third rounds, respectively,” Moton wrote on July 11. “Both have experience lining up on the boundary. If Morrison or Parrish shines in the summer, the Buccaneers may see Dean as an expendable veteran, especially with his current contract situation. Tampa Bay would save $12.9 million in cap space if it cuts him.”
That type of money could get another starter or 2 in the door through free agency — money the Buccaneers might really need in their coffers if injuries continue to be an issue.
Dean Hit Jackpot With Last Contract
Dean and his contract have been in the crosshairs most of the last 2 seasons — essentially ever since he signed a 4-year, $52 million contract extension in March 2023.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon put Dean on his list of the “NFL’s Most Overpaid Players” following the start of the NFL free agency cycle in March.
“The six-year veteran was frequently burned in coverage in 2023 and was not a No. 1-caliber corner (in 2024),” Gagnon wrote. “He isn’t much of a playmaker, either (three interceptions total in the last three seasons), and he’s simply not living up to a four-year, $52 million contract.”
In his first 4 seasons, Dean won a Super Bowl and had 7 interceptions and 41 pass deflections. That included at least one interception each season and a franchise rookie record of 17 pass deflections in 2019.
It’s been tough sledding since then. In the last 2 seasons, Dean has just one interception, 11 pass deflections and has missed 9 games due to injuries.
Bucs Got First Round Talent In Second Round
Tampa Bay drafted cornerbacks with consecutive picks in the second round (No. 53 overall) with Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison and third round (No. 84 overall) with Kansas State’s Jacob Parrish.
Morrison, the son of former NFL safety Darryl Morrison, was projected to be the first cornerback taken in the draft headed into 2024 but only played 6 games because of a hip injury that required surgery. Before that, Morrison had 9 interceptions in 31 games and was a Freshman All-American in 2022.
With another young, promising cornerback to play alongside Morrison on the roster in Zyon McCollum and plenty of options at slot cornerback/nickel, including Parrish, the Buccaneers may feel like a complete secondary without Dean.
“Morrison is more patient from off coverages and takes efficient paths to the throw, so a more zone-oriented scheme could make sense, while helping to minimize areas of concern,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote. “Inquisitive but patient in reading routes from off-man coverage … Natural feel for attacking angles and catch points.”
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