Buccaneers: Veteran defender doesn't make team in recent roster projection
TAMPA BAY – It appears as if Buccaneers cornerback Ross Cockrell may be on the outs just one year after making a huge impact at training camp. Cockrell was picked up off the waiver wire during the 2020 season and played well enough to earn himself a two-year deal during the offseason. But, he was […]
TAMPA BAY – It appears as if Buccaneers cornerback Ross Cockrell may be on the outs just one year after making a huge impact at training camp.
Cockrell was picked up off the waiver wire during the 2020 season and played well enough to earn himself a two-year deal during the offseason. But, he was not the same player when asked to step up in 2021. Cockrell was even outplayed by depth players Dee Delaney and Pierre Desir, the majority of the time.
Cockrell's struggles, along with the selection of Zyon McCollum in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, is why ESPN's Jenna Laine knocked Cockrell off her recent 53-man roster projection.
Laine wrote the following in regard to Cockrell's situation:
CORNERBACK (5): Carlton Davis, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, Dee Delaney
Delaney edges out Ross Cockrell and Rashard Robinson for the fifth cornerback spot after a very strong spring. Safety Logan Ryan can back up Murphy-Bunting at nickel.
The Buccaneers have plenty of defensive backs who can play on the inside
Which means Cockrell is expendable, at the end of the day. Cockrell really made waves when he played safety during training camp in 2021, but the additions of Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal leave Cockrell's abilities expendable.
Cockrell's strength is the nickelback position. But with SMB and Ryan on the roster, the Buccaneers have two guys capable of playing that role. Safeties Mike Edwards and Antoine Winfield Jr. can play nickel, as well. Even Carlton Davis III sees inside action, from time-to-time.
Bruce Arians even said last year that the Buccaneers had plenty of guys who could play inside, which is still true, today.
Which, unfortunately, means it's very, very likely Cockrell will be the odd man out come September.
You can check out Laine's full roster projection, here.
Featured image via Max Gersh/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
