Jamel Dean, The NFL’s Top Lockdown Corner?
October 1st, 2025
Big loss says the PFF tribe.
As Joe typed many times over the offseason, and fans talked about it, too; it wasn’t if Jamel Dean would get hurt, it was when.
“When” happened Sunday against the Eagles. Dean left the game with a groin/hip issue. He did not return.
Dean is an oft-injured yet talented corner. His lack of availability, specifically in playoff games, is a big reason fans have turned on him.
Last year Dean missed five games and the Bucs were 1-4 without him. To the folks who have been hollering for years for the Bucs to dump Dean, careful what you wish for.
Dean was having a solid season. He even had a pick-six, which some Bucs fans still believe was a mirage. And if you believe the PFF tribe, they have concluded Dean has been the NFL’s ultimate lockdown corner through four games.
The PFF tribe analyzed each pass with Dean in coverage. They have him listed as having a 76.32 lockdown percentage, best in the league (over 100 pass attempts). The Tribe says “lockdown percentage” means preventing separation in coverage.
Now this is coming from the same outfit that once upon a time believed E.J. Biggers was all that. So it’s natural if one is dubious.
While Joe had grown dissatisfied with Dean due to his unavailability, Joe still believes Dean is currently the best corner the Bucs have.
The problem with Dean has been for a few years now, how much can you bank on a starting defender who you really can’t bank on in the team’s most important games (playoffs)?
And now he is hurt. Again. All too predictable.
October 1st, 2025 at 9:08 am
In xbox?
October 1st, 2025 at 9:14 am
“The PFF tribe analyzed each pass with Dean in coverage. They have him listed as having a 76.32 lockdown percentage, best in the league (mor (over 100 pass attempts). The Tribe says “lockdown percentage” means preventing separation in coverage.“
When it comes to size & speed, Dean is like the DK Metcalf of CBs. Pity our fans can’t appreciate him until he’s in street clothes and we’re complaining about guys like Funderburke not playing press-man. Even drafts a contingency plan for Dean, he’s hurt too
October 1st, 2025 at 9:17 am
I had the same reaction as Baker “He caught it!!” I was screaming up and down “OH MY GOD JAMEL DID SOMETHING”. He’s changed my opinion on him this year, maybe because we have a better depth and a great CB in Zyon to be a solid 1-2 punch.
Sucks that he’s hurt, but I’m excited to see what these young guys can do. Been very impressed with Parrish, he closes down those short dump throws very well. Something Dean can’t do while playing 15 yards off.
October 1st, 2025 at 9:19 am
Ok I officially gave up on PFF this week. Their review of the Bucs game was that the Bucs played their worst offensive game since the “Tennessee Ready” game and Jameis Winstons 1st start. I immediately turned off the video and will not ever take anything from them seriously again.
They also said Marcus Mariota was the best qb of the week last week.
October 1st, 2025 at 9:26 am
october fools day right?
October 1st, 2025 at 9:33 am
PFF is a joke and so is ESPN’s mysterious QBR system of evaluating qb play.
October 1st, 2025 at 9:35 am
They had me at E.J. Biggers
Nothing more to say
Just wonder the grade they would have give to Myrone Lewis
October 1st, 2025 at 9:35 am
Pretty sure Bucs fans know Dean is talented and worthy of the starting CB position on this team. The issue is the guy is always hurt. He falls down and he misses weeks. No different than Davis who got shipped to Detroit for a draft pick.
October 1st, 2025 at 9:38 am
Yes, he is amazing, until we need a stop, and then the flags come out, missed tackles, and the WR being in a different zip code than Dean is. Small things like that, but yeah, he is the best cover CB in the league, but somehow every OC targets him non-stop.
October 1st, 2025 at 9:39 am
“””And now he is hurt. Again. All too predictable.”””
Just insert Dean/Kancey/Morrison/Geodeke/ Izien/Evans etc, etc, etc.
Applies to every one of them.
October 1st, 2025 at 9:50 am
Mr. and Mrs. Cooter was discussing this very topic over our morning coffee, Mrs. Cooter noticed Dean was lazy and would lay down on the bench when the defense came off the field, this was not a good look, we feel that the Bucs need to bring Talib back to play corner this season so he can be a TOP 50 Buc and not cry about it like Bucs 1987
October 1st, 2025 at 10:02 am
Dean is a fine player but better than Zyon he is not.
October 1st, 2025 at 10:22 am
Dean problem is he’s a man corner playing 15 yards off and his technique is bad.
October 1st, 2025 at 10:22 am
I was just surprised he didn’t drop it, butno surprise he is hurt again
October 1st, 2025 at 10:36 am
Good thing we drafted an injury prone corner to replace the injury prone Dean.
October 1st, 2025 at 10:45 am
Ricki … ‘Yes, he is amazing, until we need a stop, and then the flags come out, missed tackles, and the WR being in a different zip code than Dean is. Small things like that, but yeah, he is the best cover CB in the league, but somehow every OC targets him non-stop.’
Don’t know how long you’ve been following the Bucs Ricki, but that’s TOTALLY false.
o In 2024, Joey Porter (Steelers) had the most penalties of any Secondary player with 12 accepted. On the Bucs, McCollum led with 6, Hayes had 4, Winfield had 3, Izien had 3, Tykee Smith had 2 and Dean had 2.
o In 2024, Dean had only 4 Missed Tackles for a 6.3% rate. Leaders on the Bucs: LVD with 14, McCollum with 13, Winfield with 9 and Izien with 8. Team average was 8.8% by the way.
o In terms of ‘being targeted non-stop’, Dean was targeted 66 times in 12 games last season (5.5 per game average). McCollum was targeted 108 times in 17 games (6.4 per game average). I think Zyon wins that one.
This season Dean & McCollum have both played in 4 games. McCollum has been targeted 25 times with 16 completions allowed (64.0%) for 152 yds & 3 TDs allowed. Dean has been targeted 15 times with 7 completions allowed (46.7%) for 55 yds & 0 TDs allowed. Plus Jamel has 1 INT to Zyon’s 0 INT.
And oh ya, in terms of availability the Bucs seem to have a LOT of players who get injured. A LOT. And that would include Dean’s supposed replacement, Benjamin Morrison. The youngster has talent for sure, but he’s now missed all of Training Camp, and missed our 1st game. He has gotten 70 def snaps since being declared healthy, but just got injured again in the Eagles game.
October 1st, 2025 at 11:04 am
I’d be curious to know which receivers are included in those voluminous stats.
October 1st, 2025 at 11:11 am
So what? Top cornerback in the injury tub means nothing it he can’t play in the game
October 1st, 2025 at 11:53 am
It looked to me like the D played better after he left the field.
October 1st, 2025 at 12:00 pm
I can only go by what I see on the TV broadcasts.
So far, it seems like Jamel has been playing more sticky, in your face coverage than in the past.
I’m sure his restructured contract and our draft selections had something to do with that, lol.
I hope that continues, for him and for the team.
Unfortunately, the injury thing does seem to be an issue.
It might be best to part ways with him at the end of the season.
October 1st, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Hard to say Morrison’s injury is predictable being he is a rookie.
It does suck that he has been injured a lot, but we need him in January not now.
Let’s see Parrish outside some. Then Bowles will have to put his money where his mouth is.
October 1st, 2025 at 12:25 pm
surprised folks arent crying and demanding bowles to “fix” Deans injury issue since thats been an issue since Bowles has been HC lol…
its bowles fault Dean continues to get hurt…every year its the same thing…when will bowles “fix” the issue!!!!!
ON TO SEA!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 1st, 2025 at 12:44 pm
More like top downtime corner!
October 1st, 2025 at 1:41 pm
I’ve always liked Dean but he spends way too much time in street cloths. Jason made the right call in drafting 2 CBs this past draft. I just really hope Morrison isn’t a younger Dean which is looking like that already but man when was in the rook was looking great against great WRs. Unfortunately doesn’t matter if your great if you can’t stay on the field
October 1st, 2025 at 2:15 pm
LOLOL This is hilarious
October 1st, 2025 at 2:35 pm
Lol.
Dean….. One of JBFs favorite whipping boys.
If this were a stat for Parrish, or EE I suspect it’d be all flowers and praise and not a bunch of “yeah buts” or people questioning the stat itself.
Way to go Dean! Forget the haters and get well soon bro 👍🏼
October 1st, 2025 at 3:03 pm
Joe, which is it? Dean sucks or he doesn’t. You guys have sure made it sound like the former.
October 1st, 2025 at 3:46 pm
Dean is a freak of nature.
He’s bigger than Lavonte David.
and he plays cornerback!
I am actually a big fan of his.
It sucks he gets hurt a lot.
But he’s an amazing CB overall.
MJ Stewart is still playing for the Texans by the way.
And Sean Murphy Bunting was a starter for Arizona before he got hurt.
And Carlton Davis signed a huge contract with the Patrots.
What’s my point?
Bowles was an NFL DB. He has drafted great DBs over the years.
In late rounds as well!
Mike Edwards: 3rd round pick. Long NFL career.
Jordan Whitehead: 4th round pick. Long NFL career.
MJ Stewart. 2nd round pick. Long NFL career.
Jamel Dean: 3rd round pick. Still an NFL starter and #1 CB.
Carlton Davis: 3rd round pick. #1 CB and still a starter.
Zion McCollum. 5th round pick. Solid NFL starter.
Jacob Parish: 3rd round pick. Solid NFL starter at nickle.
Benjamin Morrison: 2nd round pick. Looked like a legit starter this week.
Antoine Winfield: 2nd round pick. NFL All-Pro
Tykes Smith: 3rd round pick. Having a Pro Bowl season.
Christian Izien: UDFA. Could start for many teams at nickle.
Now for all the haters who want to run Bowles out of town.
Please compare his DB’s with the DB’s Lovie Smith, Schiano, and Koetter drafted?
Exactly.
Bowles knows defensive backs!
Go Bucs!
October 1st, 2025 at 3:48 pm
He ain’t “bigger.” He may be taller.
October 1st, 2025 at 3:48 pm
McCollum typically covers the #1 receiver, Dean the 2nd. From what I have seen, anyway.
October 1st, 2025 at 6:38 pm
To piggy-back on DR Advance Defense analysis: From last season up to the first 4 games of this season, Jamel Dean has given up 1 TD reception, Zyon McCollum has yielded 7 (with 3 TD already credited in 2025). In 2024 Dean was giving up 11.1 yards per completion, and has improved that to 7.9 yards per completion this season (which would be a career best if he sustains that pace). McCollum in 2024 was giving up 13.5 yards, and improved also to 9.5 yards per completion in 2025 (would also be a career best). So by the raw numbers Dean’s given up much fewer TDs and fewer average yards per completion than McCollum. Currently Dean is sporting a 28.5 passer rating against this season, while Zyon has a more pedestrian 120.3 (giving up 3 early TDs would do that). Lifetime passer rating against has Dean ahead with 80.2 vs McCollum at 94.7. The average NFL passer rating for the last 4 seasons combined (2021-2024) is 90.3, making Dean somewhat above average and McCollum a little below.
Just for the sake of comparison Morrison in limited action has given up 3 completions on 7 targets, no TDs for an average of 4.7 yds per completion (he only gave up 1 reception on 5 targets against the eagles for 9 yards) passer rating against is currently 50.3, Parrish has 10 completions on 15 targets, no TDs for an average 6.5 yds per completion and a passer rating against 75.7. Just to be clear “NFL Passer Rating measures a quarterback’s efficiency and effectiveness as a passer based on their completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown percentage, and interception percentage.” Whatever ill-conceived perceptions have against Dean, the numbers behind the numbers tell a different story. just another kicker stat ex-Buc Devin White since his last season in the Pewter and Red has logged three straight seasons of sub-70 passer rating against. During the same time-period the peerless LVD has log 102.4, 102.4 and 96.9 passer rating against. Blasphemy to dare speak ill of 2nd best off-ball linebacker in Bucs history. (I personally am not a fan of 3-4 ILB/OLB designations vs, off-ball backers vs Edge Rushers (hand in dirt or not)) LVD was a Will-backer (weak-side) like Derrick Brooks before being kicked inside.
October 1st, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Dean is terrible. If he was so great we wouldn’t have drafted two corners in a row in the draft.
October 1st, 2025 at 11:41 pm
Here’s a reality check for you: he is our best CB when healthy.
Unfortunately for us, those last 2 words are an important qualifier to the rest of that statement.
As for those 2 CBs we drafted, 1 of them seems even more injury prone than Dean is, and that’s the one who was drafted to potentially replace him. Parrish seems like a good nickel though. Dean was never a nickel.