Round 4: Central Michigan CB Sean Bunting
6-0, 195 – Junior

Previous Pick: Buffalo QB Tyree Jackson
The Buccaneers have spent four draft picks on cornerbacks since 2016, including Vernon Hargreaves III, Ryan Smith, Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart. But with Hargreaves, whose last two seasons have ended prematurely on injured reserve, and Smith entering a contract year, and Stewart moving to safety this season, Tampa Bay will once again try to find a starting-caliber cornerback in the draft with Bunting, whose stock is on the rise after a very good showing at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Bunting ran an impressive 4.42 time in the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis and a 41.5-inch vertical jump, which was one of the best measurements this year. He showed good ball skills to match that athleticism in his three years as a starter for the Chippewas defense, recording 24 career pass breakups and nine career interceptions.

Bunting’s Central Michigan Career Defensive Stats
2016: 18 tackles, 7 pass breakups, 2 INTs
2017: 49 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 10 pass breakups, 5 INTs, 2 FFs, 1 FR
2018: 37 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 7 pass breakups, 2 INTs

Bunting has good size at 6-foot, 195 pounds and he resembles a more polished Ryan Smith coming out of college. Bunting is not ready to come in and start as a rookie, but could develop this year and replace Smith in 2020 with a chance to ascend up the depth chart on defense over the next year or two.

Bunting needs to work on becoming a better tackler in run support and doing a better job of jamming receivers with his hands at the line of scrimmage in press coverage. Bunting is ideally suited for Cover 3 defensive schemes and is well versed in zone coverage.

In addition to being a very good pass defender, Bunting is a solid special teams player. He recorded a touchdown on a blocked field goal in 2017 and a blocked kick last season.

Click below to view Tampa Bay’s fifth-round pick in 2019.