Buccaneers rookie CB is off to a blazing start

If you want to find a player with a story to love on this Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster, you don't have to look long before you find rookie DB Christian Izien. Izien joined the Bucs as an undrafted rookie out of Rutgers, earned a starting role early on, and has now accounted for an interception […]

Add as preferred source on Google
Sep 17, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Christian Izien (29) celebrates his interception against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

If you want to find a player with a story to love on this Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster, you don't have to look long before you find rookie DB Christian Izien.

Izien joined the Bucs as an undrafted rookie out of Rutgers, earned a starting role early on, and has now accounted for an interception in each of his first two NFL starts.

The Buccaneers have an obvious star-in-the-making on their roster.

The Bucs under Jason Licht have been excellent at player evaluations for most of the past few years.

Sure, some misses have happened, but they happen for every GM in the league. No one in that position is perfect. In fact, even the best are far from perfect at drafting and signing undrafted free agents.

However, overall, Tampa has been great in this regard, and Christian Izien proves this well.

Every team in the league passed on the young DB-even the Bucs, but at least they had the right idea to lock him down when they got the chance.

Now, Izien is establishing himself as the ball hawk on this defense, and was able to do it with Carlton Davis off the field in his second NFL start.

Even with the loss of the CB1 to draw the tough matchups and some difficult plays to cover that stem from a very mobile quarterback that can make coverage reps go on forever, Izien was able to look like a starter from the jump, and his production on the ball has been one of the most impressive parts of an already-impressive start to this season.

Keep an eye on Izien to continue growing as the year goes on. The Bucs were able to secure a star on a steal of a signing, and Izien looks like he is only going to get better.