Bucs fans are well aware of the player that cornerback Jamel Dean became in Tampa. But to the national crowd, he may not be as much of a household name. That will change, though, in just a number of days.

Jamel Dean Could Be The Highest-Paid Cornerback In Free Agency

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network made a list of seven free agents who are less heralded who are about to see a lot more money in their bank accounts when free agency arrives on March 15.

The players included are Broncos defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones, Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, right tackles Jawaan Taylor (Jaguars), Kaleb McGary (Falcons), Mike McGlinchey (49ers), cornerback Byron Murphy of the Cardinals and Jamel Dean.

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

This is what Pelissero had to say about Dean as he hits the market.

“Veterans James Bradberry (age 29), Jonathan Jones (29) and Cam Sutton (28) figure to do well on their third multi-year deals. But don’t be surprised if Dean paces the CB market, with a contract that could start in the range of $16 million a year. A third-round pick by the Buccaneers in 2019, Dean quietly has emerged as one of the NFL’s better young cornerbacks, with seven interceptions and 41 passes defensed in 57 career games (38 starts). Per PFF, Dean allowed a 50 percent completion rate (fourth among CBs with at least 50 targets) and 6.1 yards per target (T-10th) in primary coverage last season, with a forced incompletion rate of 16.2 percent (T-12th).”

Bucs Will Be Looking For Jamel Dean’s Replacement

It’s so interesting that Jamel Dean, who was CB2 on the Bucs’ roster, could end up getting paid more than Tampa Bay’s top corner, Carlton Davis III. Davis is getting paid $14.5 million per season and as Pelissero said, Dean may get $16 million.

Bucs CB Jamel Dean and WR Olamide Zaccheaus – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Timing is everything, though, and Tampa Bay needed to secure at least one of their top two corners heading into free agency last year knowing that they couldn’t lose both Davis last offseason and Dean in this one. To Dean’s credit, he played his best football in a contract year and will reap the rewards.

This leaves the Bucs in a tough spot with only Davis and Zyon McCollum on the roster. McCollum isn’t ready to be a starting corner yet, so look for Tampa Bay to draft a corner early. They can always go the free agency route for a less expensive option, but the salary cap situation is already tight.

Situations like Dean’s show why it’s difficult to maintain a high level of success year in and year out. When you draft well, that means players are going to be looking for second contracts and you just can’t re-sign every single player.

For example, when the Bucs won the Super Bowl during the 2020 season, nine out of their 11 starers were on rookie contracts. It’s about getting to a fine line where you keep a core intact and then can replenish in draft. The Bucs hope to do that this offseason. It’s unfortunate for them, though, that it’s likely to be without Jamel Dean.