Bucs CB Zyon McCollum has caught the attention of the national media and it could lead to a Pro Bowl nod
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the best pass defenses in the NFL and a big reason why is because third-year cornerback Zyon McCollum is playing at a higher level than most other starting CBs around the league.Per Pro Football Focus, McCollum has allowed just six receptions for 57-yards and a touchdown on 16 […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the best pass defenses in the NFL and a big reason why is because third-year cornerback Zyon McCollum is playing at a higher level than most other starting CBs around the league.
Per Pro Football Focus, McCollum has allowed just six receptions for 57-yards and a touchdown on 16 targets through four games of the season. The reception and yardage total, along with the 37.5% completion rate, all represent the second-lowest amounts among the 52 qualifying cornerbacks with at least 128 coverage snaps on the year. His 25% forced incompletion rate is sixth-best and quarterbacks average a 43.0 QB rating when throwing his way. If you're into grades, McCollum currently owns the second-highest coverage grade (90.2) out of the aforementioned qualifying players.
"Any time you’re a rookie and coming in and then you’re a second year and then to your third year, mentally, you need to get better. He’s gotten better all three years coming into this year," Bucs head coach Todd Bowles recently told reporters. "He’s been athletic his whole life, but he’s understanding the game, and it’s slowed down for him."
There was plenty of reason to look forward to the 2024 version of McCollum, but not many people expected him to be as dominant as he's been right from the jump.
In fact, the former fifth-rounder has been so good he's caught the eye of ESPN analyst Ben Solak, who said he's playing like a Pro Bowler through the first four games of the season.
McCollum emerged at the 2022 combine as a 6-foot-2 corner with elite jumps, great agility drills and a blistering 40-yard dash, but he was a late-round pick as a raw prospect out of a small school (Sam Houston). Under Todd Bowles in Tampa Bay, McCollum has gone from special teamer to the first CB off the bench to entrenched starter. And he's playing great ball. I can't believe how good his eyes and feel for routes are given his lack of experience and billing as an all-tools player. McCollum is playing like a Pro Bowl pick right now. – Ben Solak, ESPN
McCollum also has film experts like the 33rd Team's James Foster singing his praises as the Bucs head into a tough Thursday night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons:
McCollum still has a long way to go, but his preseason goal of six interceptions would make it very hard to leave his name off the final Pro Bowl list at the end of the year. He already has one in the bag and has nearly had a couple more – if he keeps playing at this level then that's a more-than-attainable goal.
