Bucs May Have Found Some Depth At Corner
August 14th, 2026
Talks Ayden Garnes.
There is no weaker position on the Bucs than cornerback.
It’s not just weak. There is no depth. It’s frightening to think of Joe Burrow facing these Bucs corners.
So if any corner makes any plays in these worthless preseason games, it’s a good bet he not only will make the team, but he’ll see meaningful regular season snaps.
In comes undrafted rookie free agent Ayden Garnes. He’s looked solid in training camp — for an undrafted free agent. But Joe has to qualify this. It’s not like Garnes is fighting for a roster spot behind Deion Sanders and Darrelle Revis.
But even though Garnes is not at the top of the depth chart (yet?), he had chances tonight and he took advantage.
The biggest play Garnes made was a 47-yard pick-six of Jets quarterback Bailey Zappe in the second quarter to tie the game at 10-10. Bowles, speaking at halftime of the WFLA-TV Channel 8 broadcast, seems to think Garnes is a smart player who showed tonight he’s a savvy corner.
“He’s got very good instincts and ball skills,” Bowles. “He doesn’t carry the next play with him, which was a big thing.
“He made an error early on in the game, didn’t carry with him. Came back and made a big play for us.”
Well, unless Garnes falls flat on his face the next two weeks, Joe cannot see how he doesn’t get a roster spot. Hell, it’s unknown if Zyon McCollum will be ready to go Week 1. Groin injuries to corners are not a good thing.
And no, Joe cannot count on Benjamin Morrison, sorry. He first has to prove he can get on a practice field, forget a game, forget starting.
So if Garnes plays his cards right, it wouldn’t shock Joe if he’s on the field with the Bucs defense when the season opens in Cincinnati.
August 14th, 2026 at 10:29 pm
He was pretty good in coverage. He needs to continue to work on his tackling and will be okay!
August 14th, 2026 at 10:30 pm
Sigh and Yay! at the same time
Okay, I huffed and I puffed and I tried to blow Bowles down, but to no avail
If anything, I blew myself down
Anyway. the Bucs looked solid tonight…. some nice plays by new faces and Daniels looked solid for his first game
No more Jim Schwartz suggestions…. I am rolling with Bowles and company and keeping my fingers crossed for a good year!
August 14th, 2026 at 10:30 pm
When you have 8 CBs, you don’t have any…
August 14th, 2026 at 10:34 pm
Glad he’s making us forget about Morrison, but Garnes is really small.
August 14th, 2026 at 10:40 pm
If Garnes had a bigger frame he’d have been drafted. He’s going to have to get better in a hurry with his technique and tackling to survive on game day, but he’s got a chance.
August 14th, 2026 at 10:49 pm
He needs some tackling lessons from Ronde Barber, but his coverage skills look like they’re for real.
August 14th, 2026 at 10:52 pm
Give him a 5 year deal.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:00 pm
LouisFriend Says:
August 14th, 2026 at 10:40 pm
If Garnes had a bigger frame he’d have been drafted.
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I’ve read that in various scouting reports, but I’m still not sure exactly what the issue is with his size. He’s just a hair under 6ft tall, and 185lbs, which is a bit light, but not alarmingly so. His pro-day numbers looked pretty great as well. From everything I read about him before the game, he’s a pretty good coverage corner, but can’t tackle – and like you said, people said he’s too light. Again, 6′ and 185 isn’t too small, it’s not like he’s 5′ 7″ and 165lbs or something.
Anywho, he’s basically secured himself a roster spot at this point – he’d have to totally fall on his face to not make the team. Also, unlike Izien, Garner has the speed you need at the position, so if he does develop, he’s got the chance to be a starter down the road. Obviously we’re a long ways from that, unless guys keep getting hurt, in which case he might start game one this year, in which case I’m putting a mortgage payment on the over vs Cincinnati.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:02 pm
CORNER HAS ALWAYS SUCKED FOR THE BUCS FOR YEARS ! STILL THEY LEAVE IT LAST ON TJE LIST .IT WILL BITE US IN THE ASS AGAIN. HOPE IT IS NOT ANOTHER YEAR OF WE HAVE TO SCORE MORE POINTS THAN THE OTHER TEAM BECAUSE ARE CORNERS SUCK. HOPE THESE YOUNG GUYS CAN HANG . BY
August 14th, 2026 at 11:02 pm
I saw him make some truly solid tackles. But I also saw him dive
at people’s feet and whiff. Don’t mind me too much.. I’m a stickler for sure tackling. The coverage was surprisingly good and the tackling
got surer later in the game. Overall, is have to sing his praises. He seems to be very pleasant surprise. The pick 6 was the highlight of the game. An early tackle for loss was a big deal too.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:04 pm
Doug Says:
August 14th, 2026 at 10:52 pm
Give him a 5 year deal.
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I know it’s not a legit comment, and based on the hyped, BUT, for those wondering…
Under the NFL CBA, a rookie contract – whether the player was drafted or signed as an UDFA – cannot be amended, renegotiated, or extended until after the final regular-season game of the player’s third league year.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:06 pm
Fred McNeil Says:
August 14th, 2026 at 11:02 pm
I saw him make some truly solid tackles. But I also saw him dive
at people’s feet and whiff. Don’t mind me too much.. I’m a stickler for sure tackling.
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He made the first tackle in the Jets backfield for a loss, so he got a TFL, which is a big deal for a corner. But he did whiff on his next two tackle attempts, although maybe he got a shoe lace which tripped up the Jets RB as they stumbled forward for like 20 yards.
Overall though, I thought his tackling was acceptable. But in any case, I’ll take a coverage corner who can’t tackle over a good tackling corner who can’t cover.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:14 pm
yes the kid looks really good…living up to the hype…
or certainly did tonight…
he should be making the squad…
seems like coach really likes him…with the hug and ear whispers
August 14th, 2026 at 11:31 pm
He looks like our 2nd best CB after Parrish.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:35 pm
daniels looked good. hell be Bakers back up by week 8…
August 15th, 2026 at 12:56 am
Rod Munch Says:
I’ve read that in various scouting reports, but I’m still not sure exactly what the issue is with his size. He’s just a hair under 6ft tall, and 185lbs, which is a bit light, but not alarmingly so.
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IMO, unless a lighter player really jumps out in testing teams get spooked. Garnes doesn’t look like a guy who’s going to be able to add much bulk or speed without a minor miracle, and doesn’t project well when facing physical WRs.
We’re in an era where some slot receivers look like the muscle hamster used to. So a guy like Gaynes who also needs a little work on his technique and tackling gets knocked out of the draft.
Bowls has gotten serviceable work out of Izien and a couple of other similar players over the years, looks like Garnes is another find.
August 15th, 2026 at 1:14 am
I’d like to think it matters who plays back there…but WRs run free like it’s the Serengeti year after year. Not to mention we are a very poor tackling team that loaf a lot and rarely swarms. I hope that changes this year, I really do.
August 15th, 2026 at 2:31 am
Frank Pillow: It’s a little much to ask Bowles to change or adjust at the point, especially since the behaviors listed above are not only accepted, they’re rewarded (Bowles got to keep his job). I know, I know, the Glazers love him. For what and why, I have no idea, unless they have a fetish for bad defense.
August 15th, 2026 at 3:00 am
His pro day was elite.
Top 5 in the 40. Ànd top 5 in total athleticism.
Grimes couldn’t tackle. But he still had some great years for us.
This is is 185 pounds as a rookie. Of course he can put on 10 pounds over the next 10 months.
And of course he can get getter at tacking
He’s an elite CB. And I’m so happy we have him.
August 15th, 2026 at 4:08 am
I actually remember him on that pretty good Arizona Football team last season. He stood out to me on a few different occasions. He had an energy to him that seemed to be somewhat contagious, best of my memory. I really liked him. I watched quite a few of their late night games to end my Saturday’s with last season. They had quite a few ‘big-time’ matchups and pretty good games. If he’s just 💯 healthy, I really can’t see how he doesn’t make the team, at this point. Hell, he can play. Which is saying quite a bit compared to what else we have as of right now!!!
August 15th, 2026 at 6:12 am
If Garnes wasn’t really on Todd Bowles’ radar screen before last night, he certainly should be now.
He was one of the bright spots on our D last night.
August 15th, 2026 at 7:16 am
Might come down to how many CBs we carry on the roster, but we know guys like McCollum, Morrison, Parrish and Scott aren’t going anywhere.
So that 4 with either/combo of Hayes, Garnes, & Pepe(what he shall be called henceforth) as 5th & maybe 6th CBs. I’m thinking there’s a chance we can keep them all and perhaps sneak Garnes onto the practice squad with Pepe & Hayes having a little more exp than the rook.
August 15th, 2026 at 7:28 am
Just remember we got Bain because his arms were too short. At some point the tape measure and scale scares a lot of teams.
August 15th, 2026 at 7:49 am
If you’re counting on Morrison as depth, you better recount. Not sure if Zyon can go without missing games, he hasn’t so far. Couple of young guys showed promise. That’s not exactly adding depth.
August 15th, 2026 at 8:00 am
Joe we not only have no depth, we only have 1 real cb on the roster, Parish and he is only in his second year. It is really hard to understand how Licht and Bowles can start the season looking at the CB’s on this roster?. Right now we are hoping the kid Garnes becomes a starter. Yes CB position is in really bad shape
August 15th, 2026 at 10:06 am
Garnes does show sticky coverage and good instincts. He will get better with more experience. I think Bowles wants him to work on his tackling.
August 15th, 2026 at 10:15 am
Garnes looks like a serviceable backup. The other CBs best get back on the field and earn their paychecks!!!!
August 15th, 2026 at 10:53 am
Room to grow…but a great start.
August 15th, 2026 at 11:56 am
I tried to watch him as much as I good even though the television coverage didn’t show him much. I noticed on one big play that on the Jets receiver Garnes was playing some kind of bail coverage and when the receiver cut across the middle he let him go. Of course the guy didn’t have a Buc within 20 yards of him and had a big catch and run. I’m not sure if Garnes was supposed to carry the receiver across the field or if someone else was supposed to be in coverage across the middle. However, since Bowles has been coach we have seen stuff like this several times. I am going to give Garnes a break and say he was where he was supposed to be and a linebacker probably should have dropped into the zone over the middle and just didn’t. The kid doesn’t wow you but for the most part he appeared to do a good job in coverage.