In a season where Jamel Dean had every opportunity to prove he could be a top-tier cornerback, injuries and regression have forced Tampa Bay’s hand heading into the offseason.
After the Buccaneers traded Carlton Davis to Detroit for a 3rd-round pick, the team made it clear that they were relying on Jamel Dean to cover opposing teams’ top outside receivers. However, the tape revealed that Dean lacked confidence in his own abilities.
Where Did It Go Wrong?
Despite Jamel Dean possessing great size at 6’1″, long arms, and elite 4.3 speed, his play lacked consistency, with many plays showing him trailing behind receivers and giving up big gains. Dean’s coverage in 2024 has fallen short of elite status. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he allowed 68.3% of passes thrown his way to be completed—well above the league average of around 63%. Additionally, he gave up 11.4 yards per reception and earned a tackling grade of 65.9, his worst since his rookie season. Though Dean’s strength lies in man coverage, Dean often gives too much cushion to opposing receivers and struggles to jam them at the line, losing leverage to their speed.
Availability Is the Best Ability
Dean has also battled significant injuries throughout his career. His medical history raised red flags during the draft, having suffered two ACL tears in college. Since entering the league in 2019, Jamel Dean has never played a full season. Out of this year alone, Dean has missed 5 games due to multiple injuries including injuring both knees on Christmas, popping up on the injury report the day after. Dean’s inability to stay on the field has forced Tampa to rely on backups far too often this season in important games.
Contract Has Not Matched Production
Jamel Dean has never played a full season. Compounding that in his six-year career, Dean has only 8 interceptions. He has never recorded more than two in a single season. With a 2025 salary of $15,284,000, the Buccaneers face a tough decision. While finding a trade partner with a cornerback need—such as Cleveland or Green Bay, who are set to lose Jaire Alexander—could help recoup a draft pick, it’s not the only option. Dean’s contract includes a “potential out” that would leave the Buccaneers with only $6.8 million in dead cap. Tampa must part ways with the underperforming corner and shift their focus to free agency if they want to improve their 29th-ranked pass defense, which doomed their playoff run.
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