Benjamin Morrison could become a steal for the Bucs but it all hinges on one key factor no one can control
As promised, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have addressed the cornerback position by selecting Benjamin Morrison with the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.Morrison is a physical player who can play both man and press coverages. He's very good in off-man coverage, specifically, and recorded nine interceptions over his first […]
As promised, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have addressed the cornerback position by selecting Benjamin Morrison with the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Morrison is a physical player who can play both man and press coverages. He's very good in off-man coverage, specifically, and recorded nine interceptions over his first two seasons at Notre Dame.
Morrison possesses a ton of traits that can help have a lot of success in Todd Bowles' defense: On top of being able to play multiple coverages, he's fluid and physical, shows good awareness, played in a heavy press-man scheme, and is as competitive as they come.
He could easily become a quality starter on the perimeter for the Bucs, maybe even a Pro bowler. There's one key obstacle he'll have to overcome, however, and that's his injury history. Morrison only played in six games last year after undergoing surgery on his hip – it was also his second hip surgery in four years.
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame Fighting irish Scouting Report
Age: 21 (3/11/2004)
A to Z Sports Draft Projection: No. 45 overall, Round 2
Scouting Report: Benjamin Morrison was putting together his third straight elite season at cornerback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish prior to going down with a hip injury last fall. Morrison gave up exactly zero touchdowns in six games last season. His career completion percentage allowed is below 46%. He surrendered just three receptions of more than 30 yards (explosive pass plays) on nearly 900 coverage snaps. Morrison is consistent, dominant, and offers plenty of athleticism when healthy. The primary reason he's dropped down NFL Draft boards throughout this process is injury. Outside of his hip injury concerns–given that it's extremely important for corners to have fluid hips in coverage–there's really no reason to believe he won't be a successful starting cornerback in the NFL. – Travis May, A to Z College Football
Career Projection: Eventual Good Starter
Morrison will push Jamel Dean for a starting job in 2025
He may not win the starting job, but Morrison is expected to push for the starting gig opposite Zyon McCollum and the Bucs are going to open the door for competition. Bowles made that clear when he spoke with reporters a few years ago.
"Dean has to get healthy. He comes in and he plays – he can’t play half a year, every couple of years," said Bowles. "He understands he has to stay healthy and he’s doing everything he can to be healthy, but we have to have some depth there just in case. If somebody comes in and competes with him, he’s going to have to compete.”
Only time will tell as to what happens, but the writing is on the wall and it should be a fun competition to track over the summer.
