Bucs Tout Jamel Dean Accomplishments
February 1st, 2026
Pending free agent Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean had a heck of a standout 2025 season according to some legitimate metrics.
Over at the Buccaneers’ official website, the team recently shared official NFL NextGen stats data on Dean that could explain why he was named a Pro Bowl alternate.
Per the Bucs, Dean allowed the lowest passer rating [in the NFL] when targeted among cornerbacks with a minimum of 35 defensive targets, according to NextGen Stats. “Additionally, he had the second-lowest completion percentage when targeted among cornerbacks with a minimum of 35 defensive targets in 2025 (43.1%),” per the Bucs.
That’s quite impressive.
Interestingly, it was Dean who agreed to have his contract slashed before last season while fellow Bucs cornerback Zyon McCollum was gifted a new fat contract and then struggled in 2025.
Still, Dean isn’t versatile and he isn’t strong in zone coverage. That seems to be a problem in Todd Bowles’ defense. And he’s hardly the most durable guy.
Will the Bucs miss Dean next season? If so, that would signal a problem.
It’ll be interesting to see where Dean lands in free agency and how much he’s paid.
February 1st, 2026 at 6:36 pm
Going back a few seasons when the self described “Grave Diggers” were heralded, by themselves I might add, they were the beneficiaries of a solid front 7 who were one of the best teams against the run and put REAL PSI on the QB, meaning he went down, which, obviously, made them look better. How good does the secondary look when the QB is on his butt? Fabuloso. Rocket surgery.
February 1st, 2026 at 6:38 pm
Not sure how he gets those stats if he “isn’t strong in zone coverage”.. Did I miss the part that says those stats are man to man reps only?
Deans been solid to excellent for years.
February 1st, 2026 at 6:38 pm
Jamella “Peanut Brittle” Dean is a scary butt football player afraid of contact and trips over and is injured by his own shadow. No respect for him as a football player. People keep saying up here we are stacked with talent. Where is it at then with dudes like this on our team?
February 1st, 2026 at 6:46 pm
It doesn’t pass the smell test that a pass defense so horrid has a corner as an alternate for the Pro Bowl. Then considering that Shedeur Sanders is a QB alternate Pro Bowl, it makes sense. Won’t miss Dean. He is a poor tackler and seems eternally lost in Bowles zone.
February 1st, 2026 at 6:47 pm
Years to be decent on this defensive scheme. 17 games is not enough. SMH
2026 is RINSE AND REPEAT
February 1st, 2026 at 6:49 pm
The same morons trashing Dean are the same idiots who thought celebrated getting a 3rd for Carlton Davis thinking they ripped off the Lions. Just your typical low dopes who have no idea what they’re watching. While Dean isn’t as good Davis, he’s still a very good man corner. Too bad Bowles is such a coward he’d rather sit back in his trash zone and let teams move the ball at will vs being aggressive, like Arians forced him to do, which won the Bucs a SB.
February 1st, 2026 at 6:51 pm
They’re making such a big deal out of the Lightning playing in a stadium, but I went to over a dozen Lightning games in a stadium. Big deal.
I will say those Thunderdome games were fun – it’s amazing the Trop is the same place as it’s such a boring and dull place for baseball with zero energy. But when the Lightning played there, that was a loud, rowdy and violent crowd – I loved going to games there, always tons of fights in the crowd, and on the ice. You won’t get any of that tonight, those tickets are way too expensive to get kicked out in the 1st period.
February 1st, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Jamel Dean has missed over 20 games during his Bucs career
That’s the main issue with him
Availability is the best ability!!
February 1st, 2026 at 7:03 pm
Let’s hope the Bolts are better at night in RayJa then the Bucs
February 1st, 2026 at 7:08 pm
I remember going to a Bucs MNF game, I think vs Minnesota sometime in the early 00s, and it was like 45 degrees or something – and I was yet to be a fancy man who only got club seating and I was stuck up in the peasant seating. My God was it cold with the wind. But I also didn’t know it was going to be that cold, it was like 70 that afternoon so I was unprepared, but I can only imagine how cold it is up there tonight.
February 1st, 2026 at 7:09 pm
Whose idea were these awful Lightning jerseys? If you like these, you probably drive a Camry.
February 1st, 2026 at 7:13 pm
He’s a good player. He doesn’t make plays on the ball and isn’t instinctual, and is prone to injury. He’s gonna get paid and it shouldn’t be by Tampa. We do need to add a couple of potential outside corners this off-season to replace him and to add a depth piece because Vildor was bad (as expected) and needs to be replaced as well.
February 1st, 2026 at 7:34 pm
Prime example of BUC Mediocrity.
February 1st, 2026 at 7:44 pm
Resign him tomorrow. Seriously I dont give a shart about that Joe. I want you to tell me/us what was wrong with Baker. Somebody knows this answer. You Joe should have heard something. I want to understand what happened How could his play have dipped so poorly. What were his Injuries? G damn Joe tell us something PLEASE
February 1st, 2026 at 7:49 pm
LMAO. Lightning wear Bucs loser uniform and playing just like losers. Those uniforms are bad luck and always have been.
February 1st, 2026 at 7:55 pm
Is Todd Bowles coaching defense for the Lightning tonight?
Asking for a friend.
February 1st, 2026 at 7:58 pm
Can’t wait to see McCollum & Morrison as starting outside corners this season. Then a bunch of fans will be screaming when Zions logs 13 games (like he did in 2025) and Benjamin logs 10 games (like he did in 2025). At least Jamel logged 14 games this past season.
Wonder if anyone will notice that McCollum allowed 6 TDs in his 13 games and Morrison allowed 3 TDs in his 10 games this past season.
February 1st, 2026 at 8:10 pm
Jason Licht had to be dead drunk when he extended Zyon Mccollum
I don’t know what Licht was thinking
Him and Bowles are impressed with his Athleticism, not his football skills
February 1st, 2026 at 8:13 pm
Dean avoids tackles when he feels well enough to play. He needs to go.
February 1st, 2026 at 8:22 pm
Does he start for any team in top half of the league?
February 1st, 2026 at 9:17 pm
Jose sez:
Interestingly, it was Dean who agreed to have his contract slashed before last season while fellow Bucs cornerback Zyon McCollum was gifted a new fat contract and then struggled in 2025.
——-
If that snippet doesn’t prove that The Licht is starting to dim…
What it doesn’t say is that it freed up Dean from his 2026 previous contract year. He’s now a free agent and will be highly coveted/paid.
Not to worry however…he’ll simply early extend Benji Morrison to prove he was worth a 2nd round pick.
February 1st, 2026 at 9:52 pm
I hope he gets paid well so we get a good comp pick. We need all the young help we can get. But his knees are only good for another season or two at best.
February 1st, 2026 at 10:02 pm
Let him walk…always hurt….fire Todd