Buccaneers re-signing CB Jamel Dean to $52M deal

TAMPA, Fla. — After a flurry of wage cap-saving strikes final week, the Buccaneers are re-signing certainly one of their high free brokers in cornerback Jamel Dean, who will keep in Tampa on a four-year deal price $52 million, sources advised ESPN.

Dean’s new contract comes on the heels of the Bucs restructuring contracts for defensive sort out Vita Vea, vast receiver Chris Godwin, cornerback Carlton Davis III, heart Ryan Jensen and receiver Russell Gage agreeing to take a pay lower. Left sort out Donovan Smith, working again Leonard Fournette and tight finish Cameron Brate have been additionally launched. These strikes helped the Bucs clear the $55 million they have been over the cap.

After three seasons of working his manner into the combo within the Buccaneers’ secondary, Dean snagged a top-two function in 2022, beginning 15 video games whereas ending with 2 interceptions and eight move breakups.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Dean, who turned 26 in October, allowed 386 yards as the closest defender — fifth fewest amongst gamers with a minimal of 60 targets. He additionally allowed a 46.6 completion proportion. He completed the season with a fractured large toe.

Dean has the size and top-end velocity to disrupt throwing home windows in zone protection or match down the sector towards vertical ideas. He suits greatest as an outdoor one-third defender in a zone scheme, the place he can use his backfield imaginative and prescient to interrupt on the ball.

The Bucs chosen Dean within the third spherical of the 2019 NFL draft out of Auburn. With his 6-foot-1 body and 4.30 40-yard sprint — the second-fastest time on the NFL mix that 12 months — Dean instantly grew to become one of many Bucs’ most bodily gifted members of their defensive backfield, incomes the third cornerback spot in his rookie season.

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In 4 NFL seasons, Dean has 7 interceptions and 41 move breakups in 57 video games with 38 begins. He has missed solely 9 video games.

That he reached this stage is much more spectacular contemplating that he suffered a torn ACL in 2013 and torn meniscus in 2014 whereas at Ohio State. Afterward, the OSU medical workers didn’t consider his knee would be capable of stand up to taking part in additional on the collegiate stage, which led to Dean’s switch to Auburn, the place he was sidelined for the 2016 season after one other knee surgical procedure.