Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Back Benjamin Morrison’s rookie season fell well below expectations.
Nobody will argue otherwise.
However, Pro Football Focus may be creating an offseason storyline before Morrison has received a fair opportunity. Bradley Locker recently named Morrison the NFL player under the most pressure entering his second season.
That feels premature.
Cornerback remains one of football’s toughest positions to master. Todd Bowles’ defensive system only makes that challenge even greater.
Pro Football Focus Highlights Morrison’s Rookie Struggles
Locker based his evaluation on Morrison’s difficult rookie campaign.
“Countless pundits around the football landscape believed the Buccaneers landed a steal with Morrison in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but his first year as a pro was trying for several reasons,” Locker wrote. “The Notre Dame product endured multiple leg injuries as a rookie, appearing on only 360 snaps while rotating behind Tampa Bay’s starters. When Morrison did see the field, he was susceptible in coverage with a 50.0 PFF coverage grade and 110.8 passer rating when targeted — the 17th-highest among 100 qualified corners. The ground game didn’t prove far superior for Morrison either, earning a 35.5 PFF run-defense grade and missing 21.2% of his tackle attempts.”
Those numbers deserve criticism.
They also deserve context.
Morrison battled injuries throughout his rookie season. He never found consistent playing time or established any rhythm on the field.
Todd Bowles’ Defense Requires Patience
Learning cornerback in the NFL takes time.
Learning Todd Bowles’ defense often takes even longer.
Bowles asks defensive backs to communicate, disguise coverages, and recognize route concepts before the snap. Those responsibilities create a steep learning curve for young players.
History suggests patience is warranted.
Ronde Barber struggled during the early years of his Buccaneers career. He eventually developed into one of franchise history’s greatest players and a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Nobody is comparing Morrison to Barber.
The point remains the same.
One disappointing rookie season shouldn’t define a young cornerback’s career.
Injuries Continue to Slow Morrison’s Development
Injuries have followed Morrison since college.
His draft stock slipped after season-ending hip surgery at Notre Dame. Those health concerns unfortunately carried into his first NFL season.
Morrison missed seven games as a rookie. He also missed the entire preseason with a hamstring injury.
His health questions continued this offseason.
“Bucs CB Benjamin Morrison has a leg injury and didn’t practice during Thursday’s OTAs,” Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times posted on Twitter. “It’s the offseason, so no further details are made available.”
Reporter Evan Closky also posted, “Todd Bowles says Benjamin Morrison has a ‘leg injury.’ Would not specify further than that. Was out here but not participating in drills today.”
Year Two Will Provide the Answers
The Buccaneers still believe Morrison possesses starting-caliber talent.
Otherwise, they never would have selected him in the second round despite his injury concerns.
With Jamel Dean gone, Morrison should receive another opportunity to earn significant playing time. What he does with that opportunity will determine his future.
For now, though, Pro Football Focus appears more interested in creating offseason engagement than providing long-term perspective.
Morrison deserves criticism for his rookie season.
He also deserves the same patience many young cornerbacks have needed before becoming productive NFL starters.
Reality Check
Morrison’s rookie season certainly wasn’t what anyone expected, but Pro Football Focus also knows that highlighting “players under pressure” generates attention during the quiet part of the NFL calendar.
Morrison deserves criticism for his play in 2025, yet it’s far too early to label him a disappointment. Defensive back is one of the NFL’s toughest positions to master, and Todd Bowles’ complex defensive scheme only increases that learning curve.
History also offers perspective.
Buccaneers legend Ronde Barber endured an uneven start to his career before developing into one of the greatest defensive backs in franchise history and eventually earning a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Morrison still has plenty of time to prove he can follow a much different path than his rookie season suggested.
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