NFL Combine: Three cornerback prospects that fit well with the Bucs
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a big decision to make regarding Carlton Davis III's impending free agent status. it doesn't stop there, either: their No. 2 and No. 3 cornerbacks in Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean are heading into contract years, as well. Couple that with very, very inconsistent play from SMB over the years […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a big decision to make regarding Carlton Davis III's impending free agent status. it doesn't stop there, either: their No. 2 and No. 3 cornerbacks in Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean are heading into contract years, as well.
Couple that with very, very inconsistent play from SMB over the years and Dean's injury issues (he's yet to play a full season) and it's easy to see why the Buccaneers could be in the market for a cornerback come draft time.
Todd Bowles is very particular about the types of corners he uses in his defense. They have to be tall, long, strong, fast, and physical. There's no other way around it.
The good news is there are a number of those guys in the 2022 NFL Draft. So, which ones should the Bucs keep an eye on during the combine?
*Please note this exercise only lists healthy players who have been invited to the combine
Kaiir Elam, Florida Gators
Pre-combine target range: Round 1-2
You wanna talk about a prototypical corner for Bowles' defense?
Elam fits what Bowles is looking for better than the snug pullover that just came out of the dryer. He even gives you that nice, relaxing, warm feeling when you watch him play.
The true junior is listed at 6-foot-2, 193-pounds and he is best when playing zone, but can also play press man. There's a misconception out there that the Buccaneers are mostly press man. It's quite the opposite, actually.
Per Pro Football Focus, the Buccaneers' top three corners (in terms of role) played zone at least 63% of the time. Per Sports Info Solutions, the Bucs ran zone 65% of the time, which was 2021's fourth-highest rate. They were in man on 22% of defensive snaps, which was sixth-lowest rate.
Regardless, Elam can do it all. He does have issues with your Z-type receivers and quicker, twitchier targets. He also needs to improve his tackling and run defense. But, overall, Elam's exactly what the Buccaneers are looking for in a corner. He's a great potential replacement for Davis in 2022 or Dean in 2023. If either one of them leave, of course.
If he tests well, don't be surprised when he rises to the top of Jason Licht's draft board.
Kyler Gordon, Washington Huskies
Pre-combine target range: Round 2
There hasn't been any official word or report, but SMB's inconsistencies have likely put his future with the Bucs in doubt.
That's not ideal, because his role one the defense is really important. He's the outside corner in the Bucs base defense and the slot corner when Bowles deploys his subpackages. He's a willing run defender, OK tackler, and can get to the quarterback when blitzed.
Well, then, the Buccaneers are likely ecstatic that Gordon is a prospect in this year's draft.
Gordon is a Murphy-Bunting replica in the sense that he plays both in the slot and on the perimeter. He's great in run defense, a very sound tackler, and also has the speed and athleticism to keep up with his assigned receiving targets. No matter where he -or they- is lined up. This is mainly because his athleticism is off the charts.
A big downside to his game is that he's still learning the nuances of the position. He also needs to improve his awareness and pattern recognition. This could hurt because Bowles' defense is not easy on corners, whatsoever.
But he'll have time to work on all of that in 2022 with SMB still in the mix. The biggest concern is that Gordon becomes a potential first-round prospect after the combine.
Martin Emerson, Mississippi State Bulldogs
Pre-combine target range: Round 3-4
Emerson is one of the biggest corners invited to the combine. He's listed at 6-foot-2, 200-pounds and he uses every bit of that when he plays.
Emerson played mostly outside in college, which makes sense due to his size and skillset. The main traits that come into question with him is his short-area quickness, twitch, and long-range speed.
Because of this, a move to safety could be in store for the young man. But if he tests well in the workouts that lend context to his questions, it's likely that most teams will keep him at corner.
The Buccaneers should be one of those teams that keep a close eye on Emerson during the combine. If his numbers reflect those of a corner's, then it's very plausible to think the Bucs will draft him in April.
The Buccaneers could very well be out of the cornerback market come draft time, but if they are still present, then these guys would make a lot of sense. As long as their combine workouts test accordingly, of course.
Featured image via-Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
