Big prediction.

Holy Flirkingschmidt! A Bucs backup corner is going to get five interceptions this year?

Either Chris Trapasso of CBS is an unapologetic leprechaun of a Notre Dame fan, or he has a crystal ball that our friends in the desert hope is destroyed. Typing a piece comparing 2025 NFL rookies to Pro Football Hall of Famers, Trapasso thinks Bucs corner Benjamin Morrison is a clone of Eric Allen.

And as Trapasso points out, Allen had five picks as a rookie corner for Philadelphia in 1988.

Many believe it’s unfair to compare an NFL rookie to an NFL Hall of Famer. And it’s not crazy. But as long as the comparison before any player puts pads on for their first professional game is trait-based — heck, all of them should be — then they should be fair game. All Hall of Famers were just rookies at some point. …

Morrison came on the scene in South Bend in 2022, and snagged six interceptions. In 2023, he hauled in three more. And the smaller Allen was such a smooth but dynamic mover. It allowed him to break on the ball in a flash, and he played the game with essentially zero stiffness.

The same is true with Morrison, who I thought was every bit as good in pure man coverage as Travis Hunter. Because of his 2024 injury, the Buccaneers were able to select him in the second round. Morrison surrendered less than a 46% catch rate in all three of his campaigns at Notre Dame. Playing for a defensive-minded coach in Todd Bowles increases the likelihood of Morrison reaching his potential in Tampa Bay too. And that absolutely maximum potential is Hall of Fame caliber.

Joe has to take a step back here. While all of this is heady stuff, Joe has to live in the cruel, cold world of reality. Morrison is not even the Bucs’ best rookie corner as of today. That would be Jacob Parrish, who Joe projects will start at nickel corner.

Morrison will get on the field at some point. Remember, Morrison is coming off hip surgery and he was not at full speed during underwear football season this spring.

Morrison’s struggles defending Mike Evans notwithstanding, the past few days Joe has seen Morrison make several quality plays on the ball. And there’s no shame in betting burned by Evans. Joe has seen Evans roast Richard Sherman and Jalen Ramsey.

For Morrison to get five picks, you’d have to think he starts Week 1. Joe isn’t ready to go there. Jamel Dean, the incumbent No. 1 corner, is having a really solid camp. With Dean, though it’s just a matter of time before he gets hurt.

Joe’s will throw this out: If Morrison gets five picks, the Bucs are playing in the NFC title game in January.