The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have been hinting at this move in the NFL Draft.
They took cornerbacks in both the second and third round.
That could spell the end for Jamel Dean despite the fact that he has started for the Bucs for the past four years.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton predicts that Dean will be cut. Here’s how he explains it:
Early in the offseason, Jamel Dean generated buzz as a possible trade candidate. Now, he lands on the potential cuts list as a mild surprise given his status as a full-time starter over the previous four seasons.
Dean has underperformed since he signed an extension during the 2023 offseason. His subpar production and spotty availability (missed nine games over last two seasons) likely factored into the Buccaneers’ draft plans.
Tampa Bay double-dipped at cornerback, taking Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in the second and third rounds, respectively. Both have experience lining up on the boundary.
General manager Jason Licht believes Morrison will be ready to participate at training camp following hip surgery.
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, per Over the Cap.
Dean’s short-term future in Tampa Bay may hinge upon the performances of two rookies at his position.
Morrison is immensely talented and was viewed a year earlier as a potential first-rounder. He especially has the potential to push Dean right out of his role.
Health of the rookies could potentially keep Dean around, but the writing is on the wall.
The Buccaneers are certainly in win-now mode, so maybe they keep Dean around as a veteran presence. But his importance has definitely declined.
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