Pro Football Focus released their player grades from Week 10 and Bucs’ rookie Jamel Dean didn’t just make PFF’s Team of the Week, he was the week’s highest-graded defensive player in the NFL just seven days after giving up three touchdowns in coverage during his first career start against Seattle.
#Bucs Jamel Dean was the highest graded defender in the entire #NFL last week with a 95.5❗️
He allowed 1 reception for -2 yards with 2 pass breakups and an interception#GoBucs
📰: https://t.co/kxRvjQsXLm pic.twitter.com/nS6fAIhism
— PFF TB Buccaneers (@PFF_Buccaneers) November 12, 2019
According to PFF, Dean earned a grade of 95.5 after breaking up four passes – despite PFF only crediting him with two – and reeling in a game-saving interception while allowing just one reception that went for a two-yard loss.
“That’s the Dean I’ve seen in practice and in training camp and in OTA’s,” Bucs’ wide receiver Mike Evans said. “This past game, not the previous one. That was his first game starting and he kind of got thrown into the fire there, a lot of man coverage, going against a really great quarterback and some really good receivers but he bounced back well and that’s what it’s all about.”
It was a huge turnaround for the rookie defensive back, making his way from his front and center position in Pewter Report’s most disappointing list following his first career start to PFF’s team of the week following his second. With the recent release of Vernon Hargreaves and the struggles surrounding Carlton Davis, Dean will likely be an important contributor over the Bucs’ final seven games.