Bucs Undrafted Corner Shines In Camp

Derrek Pitts Jr. made a bit of a name for himself in the Bucs training camp practice on Friday, August 4. Pitts Jr. came away with a very athletic interception on quarterback Baker Mayfield while covering fellow rookie Taye Barber toward the end of the practice.

The play got the crowd and the Bucs defense fired up and was able to showcase the ball-tracking ability, and speed that Pitts Jr. can showcase when he is given an opportunity. It is not the first time Pitts Jr. has made a play or two throughout the Bucs offseason workouts and training camp as Pitts Jr. continues to be an interesting player to keep an eye on for Bucs fans, media, and coaches alike.

Playing For Three Colleges

Pitts Jr. came undrafted out of the 2023 NFL Draft and would eventually sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shortly after the draft had concluded. Pitts Jr. spent his college career playing first at West Virginia, and would then enter the transfer portal where he would play a couple of year at Marshall, before finally entering the transfer portal once again to finish his college career at NC State.

It was at NC State where Pitts would see his best playing results finishing with two interceptions, 2.5 tackles for loss, six passes defended, and 43 total tackles while playing in 12 games. Throughout his time in college, Pitts Jr. was able to showcase his ability as a corner and have a good eye and nose for finding the football and to be able to make plays.

Bucs CB Derrek Pitts Jr. – Photo By: Cliff Welch P/R

The Right Fit For A Good Bucs Defense

Pitts Jr. is a bigger corner that fits very well into what head coach Todd Bowles looks for in outside corners. Pitts is 6’1 182 pounds and could be a player who could continue to build momentum for himself throughout the remainder of training camp and preseason if he is able to continue to make plays like he did at practice.

Todd Bowles gave his thoughts about the big play from the rookie and what he’s done so far. “He’s long and athletic and we know he’s got ball skills,” Bowles said. “It just a matter of getting the system down. Got to get the system down so the preseason game will be important for him.”

The Battles Rage On In Preseason And Training Camp

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Right now as it stands the Bucs have themselves a pretty open room when it comes to cornerback depth on the team. You have your established starters in Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean but after that there are a lot of different options for who the corners can be.

Zyon McCollum figures to be the teams third cornerback for now, but the rest of the room includes rookies like Josh Hayes (2023 6th round pick), and Keenan Isaac, plus veterans like Anthony Chesley, Dee Delaney, Don Gardner, and Duron Lowe. You s look to plenty of guys that also have momentum like Josh Hayes who is a recent draft pick, and veterans like Gardner, Delaney, and Chesley who have all been apart of the Todd Bowles defense already and have a better grasp of what is expected out of the corners.

There is still plenty of room in the back half of the depth chart and there is going to be large battle taking place throughout the remainder of training camp and in the preseason as well for the final couple of roster spots at the cornerback position. Pitts Jr. is off to a good start of making momentum for himself but will need to continue to make plays throughout the remainder of training camp and preseason to really give him the best chance possible to make the final 53-man roster when everything is said and done.