Four Tampa Bay Buccaneers that will shine as rookies in 2022

Logan Hall, DL, Houston

Logan Hall will feel right at home on the defensive line of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As of today, it looks like the Bucs are going to go with William Gholston, Vita Vea, and Akiem Hicks on the interior. Vea and Hicks are safe, but Gholston better keep an eye on his rearview mirror because Hall is coming for that spot. He is much younger and fits the vibe that head coach Todd Bowles is looking for.

Hall lined up all over the place during his time with the Houston Cougars, but he found the most success lined up in the 3-, 4-, and 5- techniques. Hall is as strong as they come at the point of attack. He uses this strength to gain the upper hand when rushing the passer, constantly knocking offensive linemen off their spot and effecting the pocket greatly. Hall will not be overmatched, even as a rookie.

Rushing the quarterback is not his only redeeming quality. Hall is stout as a run defender. He was largely nonexistent in this aspect during his early years with Houston, but by the time he left campus, Hall became a menace to opposing backfields. He grew more comfortable each season, and looked like a man among boys on his 2021 tape.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won a Super Bowl in large part because of their ruthless aggression in the trenches. Hall slots in immediately as a difference maker, but will have to earn his reps on such a veteran-rich defense. Keep an eye on him during training camp. It shouldn’t be hard to do because the mammoth-of-a-man is impossible to miss. The fact that he fell outside of day one is something that franchises will be kicking themselves for.

Zyon McCollum, DB, Sam Houston State

Zyon McCollum is the final rookie to be featured in this article, but you know what they say about saving the best for last. McCollum played at Sam Houston State, a school that played a total of one NFL wide receiver during the defensive back’s time on campus. That one receiver is fellow 2022 NFL draftee, Christian Watson. Like Watson, McCollum backed up his strong tape and statistics by dominating the Senior Bowl and NFL Draft Scouting Combine.

McCollum locked down everyone that he ever lined up against in college, and when he arrived to workout for every NFL team, it was easy to see why. McCollum ran a mind-boggling 4.33s 40-yard dash and recorded one of the best vertical jumps (39.5”) of the entire event, regardless of position. He posted a sub-6.5 three-cone drill, proving to scouts that his lateral agility is not to be questioned. This performance firmly placed McCollum on the draft radar.

Teams were rightfully still concerned about how well McCollum’s traits would translate to the NFL. He dominated his competition in college, highlighted by his 13 career interceptions and 54 passes defended, but can he be a cover corner in the league? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided to take a flier on the athletic marvel, selecting McCollum in the fifth round. He arrived to the team prepared to earn his spot on the 53-man roster.

By all accounts, McCollum has performed well in all team activities, even leading to praise from his new teammate Carlton Davis. Davis said that McCollum reminds him of SEC cornerbacks, something he is qualified to speak on after spending his collegiate years with the Auburn Tigers. McCollum thrives on physicality and asserting his dominance athletically, a couple key traits that most SEC cornerbacks possess.

Entering the NFL, where every guy is physical and athletic, McCollum will have a tougher time “out-talenting” his opponents. He must refine his technique when outside in man coverage, and use his traits to protect his zone when he drops back. Interestingly enough, McCollum could even serve as a backup at safety initially. Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean are the expected starters on the outside, but should McCollum have a strong training camp and preseason, he could find himself right on Dean’s heels for starting reps.