The Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprised a lot of people with their performance during the 2023 season. Despite losing the GOAT Tom Brady as their starting quarterback, the team was able to find success with Baker Mayfield leading the offense.
It will be interesting to see if Mayfield can continue his success in Year 2 with the team. A lot of credit for how he performed needed to go to offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who is now the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ NFC South rivals, the Carolina Panthers.
Alas, Canales wasn’t the only loss that the Buccaneers had this offseason, as a few key pieces from their defense won’t be back either. Star linebacker Devin White landed with the Philadelphia Eagles and Carlton Davis was traded to the Detroit Lions.
Both players have been integral parts of the Buccaneers’ defense for years, but it is the loss of Davis that leaves some questions. In the opinion of Jenna Laine of ESPN, who replaces him and starts opposite of Jamel Dean is the biggest question facing Tampa Bay following the 2024 NFL Draft.
“This is the one area the Bucs didn’t address in the draft, even after trading Carlton Davis III away in the offseason. They did select nickelback Tykee Smith in the third round, but they passed up the opportunity numerous times to take an outside corner. It reaffirms their faith in the guys they already have in Zyon McCollum, Bryce Hall — whom they signed in free agency — and Josh Hayes, who led the NFL in special teams tackles last year and moved to the outside after trying nickel. The expectation is that McCollum will start,” Laine wrote.
As Laine notes, the opportunity was there for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to land a cornerback in the draft had they wanted to. In Round 1, Clemson product Nate Wiggins was still on the board, as he went No. 30 to the Baltimore Ravens.
In Round 2, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Renardo Green both went off the board after Tampa Bay picked EDGE rusher Chris Braswell. Versatile safety Javon Bullard went one pick later to the Green Bay Packers as well.
That should be a boost of confidence for the other cornerbacks that are already on the roster. Now, it is time for them to show the Buccaneers coaching staff and front office they made the right decision. If not, a veteran cornerback addition could become a priority later in the offseason.
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