BSPN: Zyon McCollum Becomes A Lockdown Corner
September 22nd, 2024
Bold prediction.
As mentioned among Joe’s (pleasant) surprises for the Bucs this year is Zyon McCollum becoming a solid corner in his first season as a full-time starter.
Last week McCollum had a pick. Could have had two. Might have had three with a little luck.
Let’s just say McCollum was sticky against the Lions.
Today, he becomes a lockdown corner. Seth Walder of BSPN, who never met a number he didn’t like, seems fond of the number zero for McCollum today — as in McCollum will allow zero completions on passes where his receiver is targeted.
Bold prediction: Bucs CB Zyon McCollum will allow zero receptions on no more than three targets. Through two weeks, McCollum ranks second among outside corners with just 0.3 yards per coverage snap allowed (min. 50 coverage snaps) and has been targeted just 10 percent of the time (third least), per NFL Next Gen Stats.
If McCollum can pull this off, and say get two picks, would he be the Bucs’ best corner? Hard to argue with that, though Joe is sure Jamel Dean might have something to say.
If the Bucs, even with their injuries, held the fort against the Lions, they ought to be able to handle the Broncos.
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September 22nd, 2024 at 6:11 am
Com on man, JDean is just a 6’1 4.3 forty guy. He play too stiff stiff n more stiff n is passive at tackling. McCollum is aggressive, fast, will bring the heat and is fluid with his movements. I wished we’d kept CDavis n let JDean go.
September 22nd, 2024 at 7:43 am
@dmatt
Agreed, Dean’s movements are so clunky sometimes. How many times have we seen him just dead arm a ball to the ground that a DB with more dexterity would just twist around and try to make a catch, happens every year. Part of why his INT totals are so low, plus his brick hands and propensity to get injured.
September 22nd, 2024 at 8:00 am
dmatt Says: Com on man, JDean is just a 6’1 4.3 forty guy. He play too stiff stiff n more stiff n is passive at tackling.
I disagree. Jamel Dean would be one of the better corners in the NFL if his hands were not so bad. He has good size, plenty of speed and functional hip movement.
September 22nd, 2024 at 8:43 am
I saw Dean get burned on ONE long play last week, he seemed pretty effective outside of that
September 22nd, 2024 at 9:12 am
Zyon will have lots of opportunities to make his case as a lockdown corner. He will be facing some of the WRs in the NFL on a weekly basis…
September 22nd, 2024 at 9:13 am
**some of the best WRs in the NFL**
September 22nd, 2024 at 9:17 am
Dean was a saving grace when Davis and Bunting both got hurt a few years ago, came in and did his business. Don’t disregard or disrespectful him he’s been solid his whole career.
I am super excited and happy for Zyon, as I believe he’s better than Dean. Or at least on the path and will eventually pass him. Giving us two stud corners
September 22nd, 2024 at 10:37 am
Dean is number one because of experience and can handle his own against true number 1 wr. Zyon’s experience isn’t there yet but its evident he’s more athletic and fluid in his movements
September 22nd, 2024 at 10:46 am
Damn fine fifth round pick Jason!
September 22nd, 2024 at 10:48 am
Best third day CB pic in the draft since Richard Sherman! Heard it here first!
September 23rd, 2024 at 4:56 pm
Sorry, I didn’t see it yesterday against the broncos.