The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have plenty of areas on the roster that need to be addressed, and among them are the need to improve at cornerback, both in finding a long-term starter and improving the depth at the position.
There could be an option there as a late-draft flier in the sixth or seventh round that could serve as a quality reserve with the upside for more: Tennessee cornerback Kamal Hadden.
The former Tennessee Vol turned in a very impressive 2023 season for the Vols. At least, that is, until he suffered a shoulder injury against Alabama in late October that prematurely ended his season. Hadden posted an 85.8 Pro Football Focus defensive grade up until that point (which was second best on the team's defense up to then), allowing only a 36.4% completion percentage to receivers he was covering. He was deemed an underrated player by AtoZ Sports' draft analyst James Foster.
Hadden has the kind of size you want in a boundary cornerback at 6'1", 200 pounds. He's a physical player who can handle himself well in press coverage. He also has the ability to anticipate where the football is going and make a play.
Hadden projects as a player who could end up going anywhere between the fifth and seventh rounds. With picks in the sixth and seventh round, Hadden could be a prime candidate for a late-draft addition for the Buccaneers. As it stands, the Bucs have Bryce Hall and Zyon McCollum likely vying for the other outside cornerback spot opposite Jamel Dean. Behind those two, there's simply not much there.
Hadden could perhaps make a change for the better in that category for the Buccaneers.
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