Bucs Star CB Jamel Dean Re-Signs With Team

Jamel Dean has returned home. As one of the top free agents in this year’s class, Dean was not seen as likely to return to Tampa Bay, but the Bucs have retained their star young cornerback,according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The deal is for four years and $52 million, with $26 million guaranteed, according to Jordan Schultz.

Dean Continues NFL Career With Bucs

Dean has been with the Bucs since they selected him in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft. He made his way into the starting lineup mid-way through his rookie season and put up impressive ball numbers with two interceptions and 17 passes defended. In 2020 and 2021, Dean played the role of CB3, coming in for nickel formations and kicking Sean Murphy-Bunting into the slot as he would play outside.

Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Over those two seasons, Dean amassed 115 tackles, four tackles for loss, 16 passes defensed, three interceptions and a touchdown while showing glimpses of star-level play. Dean’s unique size and speed combination allowed him to play an aggressive brand of football that would lead to moments of brilliance as well as some big-time blown coverages. It also made Dean a polarizing figure within the greater Bucs community.

In 2022, Dean was able to move into the starting lineup and had perhaps the best season of his career. While his counting stats didn’t pop off the page (57 tackles, one tackle for loss, eight passes defensed and two interceptions), Dean was able to play so sticky in coverage that he was rarely targeted.

Dean was only targeted 68 times, allowing only 34 catches for 412 yards and five touchdowns. His Pro Football Focus grade for the season was 77.9. His coverage grade was in line with previous years, plus he improved as a run defender, recording an 82.5 run defense grade while missing only one tackle all year.

Dean was the Bucs’ leading candidate to be franchise tagged, as the value of his play matched the $18.14 million cost of the franchise tag. However, the Bucs were able to get him for a much lower price tag, and now have him for four years.

Dean was one of the best free agents on the market this year, ranking fifth on PFF’s list, one spot ahead of teammate Lavonte David. His retention will be a boon to a Bucs secondary that was the strength of their 10th-ranked defense. He continues with the Bucs having played in 57 games for over the past four years with 38 starts. He has 193 career tackles, six tackles for loss, 41 passes defensed, seven interceptions and one touchdown.

The return of Dean reunites the cornerback duo of Carlton Davis and Dean. Davis got his big contract last offseason, while Dean gets his this time around. Tampa Bay still isn’t done in the cornerback room. Zyon McCollum is the only other corner under contract and there’s room at safety as well after star Antoine Winfield Jr. Will corner Sean Murphy-Bunting or safety Logan Ryan get re-signed? Regardless, having Dean back is a great way for the Bucs to start free agency.

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