In a Thursday column on PewterReport.com, two Pewter Reporters will debate a Bucs subject with completely different viewpoints. Which Pewter Reporter wins the talk? You get to resolve within the feedback part beneath.
This Week’s Subject: Which Veteran Cornerback Ought to The Bucs Goal?
Level: The Bucs Ought to Wait On A Potential Kristian Fulton Minimize
By Josh Queipo
Bucs common supervisor Jason Licht has been requested this particular query persistently for months. And he has been steadfast in how he has answered the query. They’re a lot of choices whether or not that be somebody who’s presently unsigned or a participant who could also be reduce afterward. It’s that final half that I discover notably attention-grabbing.
Contemplating the present free brokers have been free brokers for months and Tampa Bay hasn’t been linked to any of them ought to inform us all one thing. The crew might be not all in favour of them. However there are many gamers throughout the league who might grow to be free brokers within the close to future.
And there may be one specifically that I feel might grow to be accessible who I feel could be a powerful addition to the Bucs cornerback depth chart. That participant is Kristian Fulton. Fulton, who’s presently on Kansas Metropolis’s roster is coming into the ultimate yr of a two-year, $20 million deal that he signed in 2024. However even after signing that strong deal, Kansas Metropolis barely used him final yr, opting to start out different gamers over him.
Chiefs CB Kristian Fulton – Picture by: Reuters Join
Fulton performed simply 208 snaps final yr with over 85% of these snaps coming within the final three weeks of the season. He’s due $10 million this yr, however solely $5 million of it’s assured. There’s a world the place Kansas Metropolis decides they’d somewhat not pay that a lot for a backup and resolve to chop Fulton. And that’s the place the Bucs are available.
At 6-foot, 197 kilos, Fulton has the scale the Bucs search for on the perimeter. Whereas he isn’t a burner, he’s a bodily participant able to enjoying press man. And that’s the important thing in my e book. He’s snug enjoying man protection. And coming from a Steve Spagnoulo protection, he’s snug enjoying quite a lot of coverages behind a pressure-heavy entrance. These are necessities to achieve a Todd Bowles system.
Fulton is a former second rounder, so the draft pedigree factors to his expertise and the metrics again up that pedigree. And since 2024 he has allowed simply 626 yards in protection over 627 protection snaps whereas permitting a catch on 62% of passes he was focused on and breaking apart 9 passes and intercepting one other.
Fulton brings expertise, draft pedigree, dimension and scheme versatility to the desk. If he turns into accessible, he could be the right depth goal for the Bucs who nonetheless have a complete of their cornerback room.
Counter-Level: Signing Rasul Douglas Nonetheless Makes Too A lot Sense For Bucs Cornerback Room
By Adam Slivon
After combing by the underside of cornerback depth charts throughout the league and who stays unsigned, there are just a few intriguing names I thought-about. Derion Kendrick is buried on the Cowboys roster and the 25-year-old flashed briefly enjoying time with the Seahawks final season. Regardless of regressing after signing a giant contract with Dallas, two-time Professional Bowler Trevon Diggs stays 27 years outdated, which is younger sufficient to get again on observe to being a playmaking nook.
Whereas it might make sense for the Bucs to think about them or wait and see who else is let go, Rasul Douglas nonetheless stands proud among the many relaxation to be an impactful depth piece on the skin.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and Dolphins CB Rasul Douglas – Picture by: IMAGN Pictures through Reuters Join – Sam Navarro
Whereas Pewter Report’s Josh Quiepo talked about above that Tampa Bay has not been linked to Douglas, a report got here out in in Could that the crew was one in all a number of talked about to be in talks with him. Amongst who stays on the market, the veteran cornerback checks lots of containers for being the right depth signing in what stays an unproven room to a big extent.
At 6-foot-2 and 209 kilos, he’s roughly the identical dimension as Jamel Dean, providing plus dimension to match up in opposition to greater extensive receivers. I perceive Quiepo’s thought course of in including Fulton, as age is on his facet and he’s schematic match. That’s all effectively and good, however the Bucs cornerback room wants somebody who can do this and produce veteran management and an edge.
The crew did that alongside the entrance seven, including A’Shawn Robinson, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Alex Anzalone, and by bringing again Rakeem Nuñez-Roches. Bringing in Rasul Douglas might do the identical on the again finish, as he has loads of expertise and manufacturing to share with guys like Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morrison, and Jacob Parrish.
Bucs NCB Jacob Parrish and CB Zyon McCollum – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Douglas has bounced round in latest seasons, spending final season with the Dolphins. In 15 video games (13 begins), he recorded 62 tackles, 13 passes defensed, two interceptions, a compelled fumble, and a sack. These numbers communicate to a participant who can nonetheless contribute. He stays instinctual in zone protection and does effectively in press man appears, which is essential in a Todd Bowles’ protection that runs lots of cover-three.
One shouldn’t anticipate the heights of Rasul Douglas’ play from 2021-2023, a three-year span the place he recorded 14 interceptions and three pick-sixes with the Packers and Payments. Nonetheless, his playstyle and trash-talking would slot in effectively with the Bucs.
There’s a purpose I’ve introduced him up going again to February 2025. After enjoying out a one-year deal price $1.5 million with Miami in 2025, bringing him in on a low-cost deal is low-risk, high-reward. Put all of it collectively, and Douglas is a no brainer addition to Tampa Bay’s cornerback room.
