A position that’s as hotly debated as any other on the Buccaneers’ roster, people have plenty to say about the Bucs’ current starting corners Zyon McCollum and Jamel Dean.
Many paint Dean as a bit of a scapegoat, while others still don’t quite grasp how difficult it is to be an NFL corner, and how much the quality of play can change from year to year due to circumstances completely out of a player’s control.
While the Bucs do have some decisions to make on the position, and spending a 1st round pick on it is very much in the cards, it’s also entirely possible they wait a bit before trying to address the position, if at all, as they seemed comfortable with running this exact cornerback room out there last season.
But, there’s still players to talk about and dream on, so let’s get started.
Will Johnson, Michigan
Will he be there at 19 when the Bucs are on the clock?
Opinions differ, as Johnson was once seen as CB1 in this draft (if you put Travis Hunter in his own special category), but is now on less steady ground with others like Jahdae Barron out of Texas potentially taking that spot.
Regardless, there’s a lot to like with Johnson, even if he’s seen as mostly a long-term successor to Dean after the latter hits free agency.
Johnson has the size and physicality the Bucs’ front office typically enjoys employing in their secondary.
He’s a very good tackler for his position and at 6’2 won’t be struggling in coverage even against the bigger receivers.
He’s good in man and zone, giving the Bucs the potential to add a bit of variety in their coverage schemes compared to their zone-heavy approach of years’ past.
But, there’s a very good chance he’s taken before 19, making this a bit of an unrealistic proposition for the Buccaneers.
Trey Amos, Ole Miss
Another corner who can be quite proficient in man coverage (especially in press), Amos would also represent a potential shift in philosophy defensively.
Is that wise or realistic? Perhaps not, but Amos would be a fun 2nd-round selection for the Bucs to fill out their cornerback room, as he has great size for the position at 6’1 and was a state champion long jumper in high school, speaking to his explosive athletic ability.
Speaking of athletic ability, he comes in at a 8.85 in RAS score, making him a very high-upside player in terms of physical gifts, in addition to his long-term production in the SEC at Ole Miss and Alabama.
He could rise a bit in the 2nd round, but most have him slotted in the late 2nd, and if the Bucs take an EDGE in the 1st round, Amos could be a fun depth piece and long-term project type of player to sit behind Dean and McCollum for the 2025 season.
Zy Alexander, LSU
A former outfielder, Alexander took a bit more of an interesting route to becoming a cornerback than most in this class.
He was a quarterback and wideout in high school before converting to the other side of the ball, and he uses those skills he acquired at those positions to read offenses and be excellent at making plays on the ball.
His size and length also jump out at you, as he’s also one of the taller and lengthier corners in this class, but unfortunately he does suffer a bit athletically, with a 3.96 RAS score.
That might speak to someone the Bucs would have no interest in, but he also could fall enough for the Bucs to decide to take a shot on the formerly unheralded recruit out of high school.
He’s good enough in zone and man to play either, and if his combine marks truly have a big enough impact, he could fall into day 3 and be an interesting selection in the later rounds for the Buccaneers.
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