One player is on track to make his first Pro Bowl despite the Buccaneers' dysfunction
Right now, it's hard to argue against the perception that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a distracted and dysfunctional team. The last four weeks showcase the on-field dysfunction and all one needs to do is point toward running back Leonard Fournette's decision to hop off Instagram in order to "lock in" on the season, despite […]
Right now, it's hard to argue against the perception that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a distracted and dysfunctional team.
The last four weeks showcase the on-field dysfunction and all one needs to do is point toward running back Leonard Fournette's decision to hop off Instagram in order to "lock in" on the season, despite the fact the Buccaneers are already six games into the season.
There's disappointment aplenty when it comes to the 2022 season thus far. A big reason for the troubles thus far is a lot of players the Buccaneers were counting on haven't lived up to expectations.
Cornerstone pieces like your Vita Veas, Devin Whites, Shaquil Barretts, and the additions the Buccaneers made such as Akiem Hicks, Russell Gage, and Luke Goedeke simply haven't provided the spark or production needed to carry the team's Super Bowl aspirations.
And that's just naming a few. There are plenty of others who haven't lived up to their billing, either.
But amid all the disappointment, there's one player who has lived up to expectations this year and that is fourth-year cornerback Jamel Dean.
Dean has been outstanding so far. The numbers and the tape back it up, too.
Per Pro Football Focus, Dean has allowed the NFL's fewest receiving yards (83) among all cornerbacks with at least 190 coverage snaps. He's tied for the third-most interceptions, allowed the seventh-lowest completion rate (50%), and quarterbacks average the fourth-worst quarterback rating (50.7) when throwing his way.
If you're into grades, his 81.3 coverage grade is third-best among the aforementioned qualified players, which is a total of 50 players, in all. His worst game on the season was in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers, where he allowed four receptions for 29-yards on five targets. However, he still managed to record a season-high six tackles and two stops in that game.
What makes this all even more impressive is QBs target Dean frequently. His 7.9 snaps per target is the 12th-highest rate among corners with at least 190 coverage snaps. Granted, even though he is very good, he is a No. 2 cornerback. Meaning QBs are more likely to throw his way just based off matchups. But, he balances it out, of course, evidenced by his sixth-best mark of 15.7 snaps per allowed reception.
The former third-rounder doesn't excel in just coverage, either. He has zero missed tackles on the year, but is still top-20 in made tackles among qualified corners. Only nine of 50 players, including Dean, have zero missed tackles on the season and only one, Derek Stingley Jr., has more total tackles (19) than Dean (17).
His 23-yards allowed after the catch are third-lowest in the NFL.
A lot of Dean's success is attributed to film study. He specifically references this in one of the Buccaneers' latest episodes of In The Current, but it also shows up frequently in his play.
The example below is all you need. As you can see, Dean lets the receivers in front of him go because a) he knows exactly what's about to happen and b) he also knows he has help over-the-top in Dee Delaney.
Below is another great example of Dean's awareness and play recognition, but it also shows off his closing speed and his tackling ability.
He is at the top of the screen:
And then Dean stays with Diontae Johnson/affects his route all the way through this rep. It's a physical rep, but Dean shows off his strength and agility on this one. Kenny Pickett even looks Johnson's way, but sees he's covered up and is forced to throw the ball away:
Last but not least, below is a great example of Dean's patience and his ability to move through traffic. And once again, he shows off his tackling skills:
These are just a few examples of what has made Dean one of the Buccaneers' best players in 2022.
Regardless of whether or not he's in a contract year, Dean is showing that he is worthy of a second contract from the team that drafted him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
It would be wise for the Buccaneers to keep him around for the foreseeable future.
And, if he keeps this up, it's easy to see why Dean can certainly make his first Pro Bowl in 2022.
Featured image via Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
