Despite an impressive campaign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers these past five years, cornerback Jamel Dean could be a release candidate before the 2025 regular season starts. According to a report, the Buccaneers could release the secondary athlete due to injuries last season. Originally selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, the former Auburn product could be on the chopping block, as he has missed games since the 2022 season, despite never having done so before. After drafting two day 2 picks this year, Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish, the Buccaneers find themselves in the best spot as far as depth.
The bad news is that this doesn’t help Dean’s chances of being a reliable difference-maker since the likelihood of the team leaning on Morrison and Parrish will increase. The Buccaneers might do themselves a favor by releasing Dean, but like any other NFL team, they will put him on the trade block to see if any team out there wants to invest in his potential future. Dean isn’t a bad depth fill, but he is getting older, so it would be hard to imagine any team would be willing to give up at least a late draft pick for the cornerback. There’s still a chance for the team to rework his contract, so he can stay in Tampa Bay, but it shouldn’t be surprising if he ends up on a new roster with these four teams.
Former Buccaneers Third Rounder Jamel Dean Named Release Candidate – Top 4 Best Fits
Possible Next Teams
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys did invest in the secondary unit after trading for Kaiir Elam and signing Robert Rochell. The team must play it safe and find another boundary corner to help fill the hole since Trevon Diggs probably won’t be ready for week one. Meanwhile, DaRon Bland and Diggs are on the hot seat, so it wouldn’t be too much of a loss if they sign Dean if he becomes available in free agency.
New Orleans Saints
Even though Tampa Bay would never trade to their rival, it’s hard to ignore the fit he would have if he joined the New Orleans Saints. After losing both Paulson Adebo and Marshon Lattimore in one year, the Saints have no other choice but to keep rebuilding this defensive roster. Of course, General Manager Mickey Loomis doesn’t believe in a “total rebuild,” so they’re better off with a one-year contract veteran like Dean to fill the depth between Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Baltimore Ravens
However, the Baltimore Ravens can never get enough of more cornerbacks. Despite signing Jaire Alexander, the team did bring in Chidobe Awuzie, who was arguably one of the worst signings this offseason. They might want to replace him with a better option, and Dean could probably replicate that energy along with 2024 draft pick Nate Wiggins and veteran Marlon Humphrey.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are dramatically changing their cornerback room again after losing Kristian Fulton to their rival, the Kansas City Chiefs. Dean has a chance to start over 2204 draft pick Cam Hart, who is still adjusting to the league. Either way, he’s a safe veteran that head coach Jim Harbaugh could budget with to pair with new incomers like Donte Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste.
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