National NFL analyst calls Bucs' day two pick the best of the entire 2025 NFL Draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had what many pundits considered to be a strong draft addressing key needs in the short and long term at edge rusher and in the secondary while adding a future playmaker on offense in the near future – and a quality option at an oft-injured position – in Ohio State WR […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had what many pundits considered to be a strong draft addressing key needs in the short and long term at edge rusher and in the secondary while adding a future playmaker on offense in the near future – and a quality option at an oft-injured position – in Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka.
One of those picks earned particularly high praise this week from ESPN's panel of experts, who each listed their best or favorite pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and for NFL analyst Ben Solak, the Bucs' selection of Kansas State CB Jacob Parrish in the third round was his top choice.
This is what Solak had to say:
Cornerback Jacob Parrish to the Buccaneers (No. 84). Parrish is a classic Todd Bowles cornerback — feisty, instinctive in zone, able to press and an excellent tackler in space. He reminds me of Tykee Smith, a 2024 third-rounder who emerged as a key nickel defender for Tampa Bay. The Bucs needed to add depth to their secondary, and they got a perfect scheme and culture fit in Parrish. – Ben Solak, ESPN
Parrish is someone who did a lot of things well in college at Kansas State, but it was his toughness and physicality that the Bucs VP of Player Personnel Mike Biehl praised in his draft announcement. Him being a physical and willing tackler is reflected in his tackling, which was sound. He had 94 tackles over the last two years and posted a solid missed tackle rate of just 8.3% last year and a career missed tackle rate of 10.6%.
Coverage wise, Parrish handled business well there, with 5 interceptions over the last two years, a career 51.5% catch rate, and a 66.2 opposing passer rating allowed. At 5'10", 200 pounds, he seems like a more natural fit at nickel – and he handled 91 snaps in the slot last year – but the majority of his work as come as a boundary corner (470 snaps in 2024).
We'll see how things look when Parrish gets on the field in training camp and in the preseason, but with the tools he has, Solak's take could end up looking like a good one once the season is in full swing.
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