“More Position Ball” From Jacob Parrish
August 9th, 2026
Cornerback Jacob Parrish
One no-brainer coming out of Buccaneers training camp is Jacob Parrish will be the starting outside cornerback opposite Zyon McCollum. Parrish did just that a few times last season for brittle former Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean.
Considering fellow second-year cornerback Benjamin Morrison hasn’t practiced all summer, it’s rather obvious Parrish has the outside job locked down. Thankfully, he got that starting experience last season.
While Parrish was roasted by rookie receiver Tedd Hurst today in red zone work (Joe is a huge Hurst fan) Parrish has grown as a player and Todd Bowles lauded him after practice, the ninth of the summer.
“He’s very quick. He’s right up there with Zyon [McCollum] as one of our best cover guys, and he can play inside as well,” Bowles said of Parrish. “So that makes him very versatile. Him understanding the scheme better in Year 2 and playing more position ball as opposed to just using his athleticism all the time has put him in great position to have a very good camp. And he’s been doing that.”
Joe was glad to hear the “more position ball” line from Bowles. It was as if the head coach acknowledged Parrish has taken the next step.
Parrish is an excellent athlete (on-field and per his NFL Scouting Combine measurables), but there are loads of strong NFL athletes. If Parrish has become more of technician and craftsman covering receivers, then that’s what is cause for celebration.
The Bucs are going to need him desperately on opening day against the Bengals’ stud receiving corps. For those counting, the Bucs start the regular season in exactly five week. Five!
August 9th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
The way I look at it, the Bucs have 3 natural Nickels on the team: Tykee Smith, Jacob Parrish & Keionte Scott. Fortunately for us, Tykee has turned out to be an excellent Safety also. Now it looks like Jacob will end up as our starting outside CB.
Kinda gets me wondering though about what JL is looking for in the drafts far as CBs go. Jason’s drafted 11 CBs in the 13 drafts he’s had since he got here in 2014:
o 2016: Vernon Hargreaves III (Rnd 1) & Ryan Smith (Rnd 4)
o 2018: MJ Stewart (Rnd 2) & Carlton Davis (Rnd 2)
o 2019: Sean Murphy-Bunting (Rnd 2) & Jamel Dean (Rnd 3)
o 2022: Zyon McCollum (Rnd 5)
o 2023: Josh Hayes (Rnd 6)
o 2025: Benjamin Morrison (Rnd 2) & Jacob Parrish (Rnd 3)
o 2026: Keionte Scott (Rnd 4)
Several good ones in there, but his CB drafts wouldn’t get him into the HOF.
August 9th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
I loved seeing number 25 make plays last year on a woeful defense. Parrish looks like he will be a quality starter for years to come. There was a player named Bryan Kelly on that 2002 Super Bowl team that made Huge interceptions and tackles in big games and he wore 25.Anyone that was a buc fan back then remembers how he came up big in big situations. I love writing this about him because they never would have won that Super Bowl without him, just like some other unsung hero’s like Shelton Quarles.and Dwight Smith! Fantastic days to be a Buc fan! Kick Ass this Year!!!!Go Bucs!
August 9th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
Roasted in the red zone by a rookie vs. proven excellent slot corner. The move does not seem like a no-brainer, to me.
August 9th, 2026 at 3:58 pm
@ DR
Hargreaves underwhelmed for a first round pick. And, so far, Morrison has underwhelmed as a second round pick.
But, didn’t the other nine meet or exceed their draft position?
August 9th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
toopanca … My favorites in those picks have been Carlton Davis & Jamel Dean as far as outside CBs go (several good Nickels in there also). But if you measure how many def snaps a drafted CB got on defense (not S/Ts) for the Bucs, many underwhelm. For example:
o Ryan Smith: 6 yrs as a Buc … 1065 def snaps total
o MJ Stewart: 2 yrs as a Buc … 614 def snaps total
o Josh Hayes: 3 yrs as a Buc … 294 def snaps total
And several others have had availability issues due to injuries. That’s unfortunate because CBs like Carlton Davis & Jamel Dean were excellent outside CBs when they were on the field.
August 9th, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Wow so I guess After hargraves Jason has been scared to take a Corner in the 1st not one since an I only see a out 3-4.totql good Corners Is SMB even in the NFL anymore
August 9th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Sure, Murphy-Bunting is at Arizona. He played some Thursday night, IIRC.
August 9th, 2026 at 5:07 pm
Can Joe explain why Licht keeps signing Safeties and not CBs? 2 more this week.
August 9th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
MJ Stewart is on the Texans. He’s a solid special teamer and safety.
Carlton Davis and Dean are highly paid. Former 3rd round picks.
Zion was an amazing pick in the 5th.
Parrish is legit.
Hargreaves was awful.
Josh Hayes is a special teamer. #6 or #7 CB.
Morrison. The God-son. Is one of the worst picks in Bucs history. As bad as Aguayo. Two hip surgeries? For a cornerback????
Are you kidding me?
August 9th, 2026 at 7:58 pm
I had faith in Morrison when he was drafted but all I have for him now is anger. He doesn’t belong in the NFL he doesn’t even practice it’s pathetic. We need to cut him know before we give him another dime. I also don’t like Jalen McMillan being hurt all the time 2 injury, prone players
August 9th, 2026 at 8:08 pm
Morrison cant play nickel so second year in, he’s the backup corner. Not what I was hoping for out of a second rounder. Time will tell but so far, it’s telling us bad news.
August 9th, 2026 at 8:45 pm
Defense Rules, I expect Scott to play the role of spy and blitzer a lot…especially behind Bain.
August 9th, 2026 at 8:51 pm
TBBucFan Says:
“Morrison cant play nickel so second year in, he’s the backup corner. Not what I was hoping for out of a second rounder. Time will tell but so far, it’s telling us bad news.”
Yeah. Not looking good. Reminds me of Gerald McCoy’s first couple years. He managed to put together some good years though. Maybe Morison will do the same.
August 9th, 2026 at 8:55 pm
Proudbucfan Says
“I had faith in Morrison when he was drafted but all I have for him now is anger. He doesn’t belong in the NFL he doesn’t even practice it’s pathetic.”
Anger is stress. Take it from me, let the anger go. You’ll be healthier for it.
And really, Morrison can’t help being injured. No point in even being angry at him. He’s not making much, and even if he ends up a backup, we need those too.