With Jamel Dean moving on to Pittsburgh in free agency, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are betting big on a second-year cornerback to step up and lock down the secondary. Benjamin Morrison, a former second-round pick, has been named one of the top breakout candidates for Year 2 by FOX Sports NFL Reporter Greg Auman, landing at No. 7 on the list.
The Bucs didn't make any splashy additions at outside corner this offseason, instead putting their faith in Morrison and Zyon McCollum to take a major leap forward. Auman notes that an upgraded defensive front should help, but the real key for Morrison is staying on the field. After missing seven games as a rookie with a hamstring injury, durability remains the biggest question mark.
Morrison's rookie campaign was a choppy one, limited to just 10 games. When he did play, he showed flashes but struggled to find a rhythm. Things got interesting in Week 15 when McCollum went down with a hip injury, thrusting Morrison into a starting role alongside Dean. Suddenly, the Bucs were fielding a young, inexperienced cornerback duo—and Morrison had a chance to prove himself.
Injuries have been a recurring theme for the Notre Dame product. He missed 10 games in his final college season due to a hip issue, and the hamstring problem in the NFL only added to the concern. But when healthy, Morrison brings a rare blend of mobility and versatility. At Notre Dame, he moved fluidly between the slot and outside, earning team captain honors along the way.
That versatility is exactly why Tampa Bay drafted him in the second round, pairing him with nickel corner Jacob Parrish. While Parrish brings tackling ability and pursuit speed to the inside, Morrison is expected to take a big jump as a coverage corner—especially now that Dean is gone.
The signs of growth were there late in his rookie season. In a late-December matchup against the Carolina Panthers, Morrison racked up a season-high seven tackles, showcasing the kind of physicality and awareness that made him a coveted prospect. Now, with a full offseason to build on that momentum, Morrison has the chance to anchor Tampa Bay's secondary and prove he can be the lockdown corner the Bucs envisioned when they called his name on draft day.