TAMPA, Fla. — After a flurry of salary cap-saving moves last week, the Buccaneers are re-signing one of their top free agents in cornerback Jamel Dean, who will remain in Tampa on a four-year deal worth $52 million, sources told ESPN. told.
Dean’s new contract comes on the heels of the Bucs restructuring contracts for defensive tackle Vita V, wide receiver Chris Godwin, cornerback Carlton Davis III, center Ryan Jensen and receiver Russell Gage agreeing to take pay cuts. Left tackle Donovan Smith, running back Leonard Fournette and tight end Cameron Brett were also released. These moves helped the Bucs get over the $55 million cap.
After three seasons working his way into the mix in the Buccaneers’ secondary, Dean regained a top-two role in 2022, starting 15 games and finishing with 2 interceptions and 8 pass breakups.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Dean, who turns 26 in October, allowed 386 yards as a tight end — fifth fewest among players with at least 60 targets. He also allowed a 46.6 completion percentage. He ended the season with a fractured big toe.
Dean has the length and top-end speed to disrupt throwing windows in zone coverage or match the field against vertical concepts. He is best suited as an outside one-third defender in a zone scheme, where he can use his backfield vision to get a break on the ball.
The Bucs selected Dean in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Auburn. With his 6-foot-1 frame and 4.30 40-yard dash—the second fastest time at the NFL combine that year—Dean immediately became one of the Bucs’ most physically gifted members of their defensive backfield, earning the third cornerback . Spot on in his rookie season.
In four NFL seasons, Dean had 7 interceptions and 41 pass breakups in 57 games with 38 starts. He has missed only nine games.
That he got to this level is even more impressive considering he suffered a torn ACL in 2013 and a torn meniscus in 2014 at Ohio State. Later, the OSU medical staff did not believe his knee would be able to withstand further play at the collegiate level, leading to Dean’s transfer to Auburn, where another knee surgery sidelined him for the 2016 season. given.
