Buccaneers Cornerback Zyon McCollum Reveals One Thing He Wants to Improve

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers corner could find himself in a starting role this year.

Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a strong free agency and offseason, retaining many of their key players from their 2023 squad. However, there will be some differences on the defensive side of the ball at both the linebacker position and cornerback.

The Bucs weren't only active in free agency. They also made a trade this offseason, sending former CB Carlton Davis III to the Detroit Lions for a third-round draft pick. The move made sense as the Bucs looked to shed some salary cap, and by doing so it looks like third-year CB Zyon McCollum will get his opportunity to nail down the opposite starting CB spot from Jamel Dean.

On Monday, the Bucs had their first voluntary workout of the 2024 offseason and McCollum spoke with the media in which he described how he wants to improve his game this upcoming season.

"Becoming a playmaker. I mean, for me, in college, I was always known for getting my hands on footballs and making plays, whether it be forced fumbles or interceptions, so that's the next point in my game — to start making those big plays."

McCollum flew a bit under the radar during his collegiate days playing for Sam Houston State before being drafted by the Bucs in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft. It was known that he wasn't going to come in and immediately take over at his position — instead, he served as a depth piece learning behind the likes of veterans like Dean and Davis III.

However, in 2023, he became more of a necessity at the position as the Bucs dealt with a myriad of injuries and McCollum was able to prove himself as at least an average CB in the league. He has continued to improve each season and even forced two fumbles in 2023. If he is able to put his playmaking together with the technique he has shown through his growth then the upside is extremely high — a reason why Jason Licht and the Bucs drafted him in the first place.

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 offseason.

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