One of Bucs' primary roster issues is glaringly obvious after playoff exit against Commanders
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had some feel-good roster stories back when the 53-man roster was announced back at the end of the preseason. One of them included undrafted free agent rookie cornerback Tyrek Funderburk making the team. However, with the Bucs in a dogfight in the second half in a Wild Card clash against the […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had some feel-good roster stories back when the 53-man roster was announced back at the end of the preseason. One of them included undrafted free agent rookie cornerback Tyrek Funderburk making the team.
However, with the Bucs in a dogfight in the second half in a Wild Card clash against the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, that feel-good feeling suddenly felt a lot less heartwarming.
Funderburk found himself in one outside cornerback spot opposite the Commanders' Pro Bowl star wideout Terry McLaurin. 2023 sixth round pick Josh Hayes was on the other side. That was out of necessity, as Jamel Dean suffered another knee injury in the third quarter that sent him to the sideline. Zyon McCollum was also temporarily out of the game, although he would return.
It was a scary sight for Bucs fans, and that fear turned out to be warranted when McLaurin caught a fourth quarter fourth down touchdown in front of Hayes to go ahead 20-17. After the Bucs tacked on a field goal to tie the game with under 5 minutes to go, Hayes couldn't keep up with Dyami Brown on third and six, allowing a 21-yard strike that put the Commanders on the edge of field goal range on their way to the eventual winning points in a 23-20 loss.
Dean, who the Bucs signed to a four-year deal back in 2023, showed on the field what a top cornerback can do, sticking with McLaurin like glue for most of the contest. He had an athletic pass break up near the goal line where he cut back with McLaurin and almost intercepted the ball. He was in his hip pocket when the Commanders' standout caught an impressive fade from Jayden Daniels in the first quarter.
In other words, the drop off from Dean to what the Bucs have behind him is a chasm. It shouldn't be surprising that your reserves aren't as good as your starters, obviously. However, what the Bucs have behind Dean and McCollum are far from serviceable. It's clearly an area general manager Jason Licht will have to look to upgrade this offseason, particularly in the draft.
Because injuries happen, and teams have to be ready for them with the "next man up" who can actually play at a competitive level. That shortcoming unfortunately helped end the Bucs' season earlier than it should have on Sunday night.
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