Bucs Make Bold Move in Draft
TAMPA — The Buccaneers have faced a lot of challenges with their cornerbacks staying healthy. After trading Carlton Davis to the Lions last year, they were worried about starter Jamel Dean, who has missed nine games over the last two seasons.
New Addition
On Friday, the Bucs made a strategic choice by selecting Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison as their second-round pick, coming in at No. 53 overall.
Performance and Background
Morrison is known for being a defensive playmaker, racking up nine interceptions over three seasons. Interestingly, his father, Darryl Morrison, played alongside Bucs coach Todd Bowles at Washington back in 1993.
Health Concerns
However, there’s a bit of a question mark surrounding Morrison’s health; he notably missed 10 games last season due to a hip injury.
Boosting the Secondary
Despite this, the Bucs are optimistic about adding this standout player to their secondary, hoping he will help increase their turnover rate. Last season, the team struggled, posting only seven interceptions, the lowest since Bowles took over as the defensive coordinator in 2019.
Draft Strategy
The decision to focus on defense wasn’t unexpected. Even though there were pressing needs on that side of the ball, the Bucs used their first-round pick on Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Bowles made it clear during NFL owners meetings in March that he wouldn’t pass up a top offensive talent just to fill a defensive gap.
“It’s fantastic as a GM to have a head coach focused on defense leading our draft decisions,” said general manager Jason Licht about Bowles. “It certainly made the process easier.”
Draft Highlights
In other draft news, Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku was picked No. 44 by the Cowboys. Michigan cornerback Will Johnson followed shortly after, going to the Cardinals at No. 47, and the Bengals snagged South Carolina linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. at No. 49. The Panthers traded up to take Texas A&M inside linebacker Nic Scourton at No. 51, with UCLA’s Oluwafemi Oladejo going to the Titans just a pick later.
Morrison’s Potential
Despite his injury concerns, Morrison was still available when the Bucs were on the clock, and they didn’t hesitate to make him their choice.
Upcoming Draft Rounds
Rounds 4-7 will take place at noon Saturday in Green Bay, Wis. TV: ABC/ESPN/NFL
Bucs picks: Round 4 (121st), Round 5 (157th), Round 7 (235th)
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Conclusion
The Bucs are hoping that their latest draft pick, Benjamin Morrison, can help transform their secondary and bring more excitement to the defense this coming season. With his potential and family ties to the team, fans are eager to see how he performs.
FAQs
Why did the Bucs trade Carlton Davis?
The Bucs traded Davis to address ongoing health concerns among their cornerbacks.
What is the significance of the draft choice?
Selecting Morrison aims to strengthen the secondary and increase interception numbers, which were low last season.
What other players were drafted around Morrison?
Notable picks included Donovan Ezeiruaku and Demetrius Knight Jr., among others.
