Tampa Bay Buccaneers Declare New Starter at Cornerback

A hard-fought training camp battle has come to end. At his Monday presser, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles revealed cornerback Jamel Dean had won the opportunity to start opposite Carlton Davis. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times shared the story:

Bucs’ Jamel Dean wins starting cornerback job against Cowboys https://t.co/Da72vYLxjm
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) September 6, 2022

Dean won the job over fellow 2019 NFL Draft pick Sean Murphy-Bunting. Bunting had opened the previous season as the starter and was initially drafted higher, but after putting together a stronger preseason, Dean will get the nod in the team's week one contest against the Dallas Cowboys.

Photo Credit: © Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Dean joined the Bucs as the 94th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft with incredible physical tools but a troubling history of knee injuries. He has largely remained healthy so far in his career, appearing in 42 of a possible 49 games, and has consistently graded strongly according to Pro Football Focus. He has generally proven more productive than Murphy-Bunting despite fewer snaps, sporting five interceptions to Murphy-Bunting's four and 33 passes defended to Murphy-Bunting's 14.

Though Dean takes over the prestigious title of starting outside corner, Murphy-Bunting will still likely see plenty of work as the team's number three corner. Both players are entering a contract year and are likely hoping to land a similar contract to fellow Buccaneer Carlton Davis, who signed a three-year, $45 million pact earlier this offseason.

The Bucs meet the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday on NBC's Sunday Night Football.