The Bucs may have some question marks in terms of talent on the offensive side of the ball. But no such statement should be said about the team’s defense. After having several players noted in their ongoing series determining the best players across the NFL at different positions on the defensive side of the ball (nose tackle Vita Vea, outside linebacker Shaq Barrett and inside linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David), the Bucs continue the trend at the cornerback position.

Bucs CB Earns Votes As One Of The Best

Defensive stalwart Carlton Davis III missed the top-10 of ESPN’s league wide poll of industry coaches, players, scouts and executives, but he did receive votes. This put him in the company of players such as Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson, Tyson Campbell and James Bradberry.

Davis has been a bit of an enigma when it comes to recognition. He has not received any league-wide accolades such as Pro Bowls or All-Pros. But he is also in a system that does not always cater to what he does best. Davis is one of the best press-man corners in the NFL. He proved it last year when he locked down Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase in impressive fashion on Sunday Night Football. Davis will be the first to tell you what he is capable of as well.

In a recent interview with Tyler Dunne of Go Live Davis pointed out how he enjoys being put on an island in head coach Todd Bowles’ system.

Bucs CB Carlton Davis III – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“You ask other players who’s the best corner, they probably won’t say my name because I don’t have the clout and the hype behind. But when they come and see me or if you ask offensive coordinators — What do you think about him? — regardless of what they say, the film’s going to show I f–ked them up.

“They don’t win reps against me. They don’t catch passes against me. They don’t get the same average yards against me. The f–cking people on Twitter are f–king mad at me because their f–king fantasy points were shitty this week. If you had Ja’Marr Chase on your fantasy team? You’re mad! Who’s responsible for that? I followed him the whole game.”

But when it comes to grading, Davis does not rank extremely high with Pro Football Focus. He ranked 40th among corner backs in coverage grade in 2022 (among corners with at least 386 snaps – 64.0). The year prior he was 27th (69.7). As a matter of fact, since entering the league the highest Davis has ever ranked in that metric is 21st in 2019.

Davis may not rank very highly by PFF’s metrics, but he is still considered a formidable defender. He doesn’t have the top-end speed of a Sauce Gardner, but Davis uses his large frame to bully receivers and his long arms to get into throwing lanes. Add in a high level of football IQ and you have the recipe for a really good cornerback.

Another Bucs Cornerback Snubbed?

Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have Davis’ running mate, Jamel Dean. Unlike Davis, Dean consistently ranks as one of the better corners in the NFL by PFF’s metrics. Dean ranked 14th last year in coverage grade. When you add in overall play including run defense, tackling and pass rush ability he moved up to 9th. It was a similar story in 2021.

Dean is just as big as Davis, but faster. There is no receiver that he conceivably cannot cover. In Week 1 Dean was targeted four times while covering Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb and gave up zero catches, showing he could shut down elite receivers similar to Davis’ matchup against Chase later in the year. This helped Dean lock in a four-year, $52 million extension with the Bucs.

It remains to be seen what Dean has to do to prove he is at, or even above the level of Davis. Perhaps his reputation in league circles is diminished due to the appearance that he is not CB1 on the Bucs roster and does not get the premier matchups that Davis does.

But one thing is for sure – the Bucs have a fantastic cornerback duo that they are relying on this year.