Zyon

McCollum

All players on this list were ruled out on Friday. Irving, Evans, and Godwin should all have a chance next week. Tampa Bay is down two corners against Jauan Jennings and the 49ers.

Godwin is just one of a laundry list of players who will not be active for the Buccaneers’ Week 6 game against the Niners. Godwin’s fibula injury is likely due to a reaggravation of the fractured fibula that ended his 2024 campaign, although the team has yet to confirm this. His absence on Sunday could open the door for Sterling Shepard to serve as the Buccaneers’ no. 2 target in the passing game opposite Emeka Egbuka, which could be of use to fantasy managers in deeper leagues. In addition to Godwin, the Buccaneers also ruled out CBs Zyon McCollum (thumb) and Benjamin Morrison (hamstring),

McCollum is an ascending player after posting a 66.1 PFF coverage grade in 2024 during 757 coverage snaps. He was entering the final year of his deal and looks likely to be a short-term fixture for the Buccaneers outside. McCollum had asked for an extension in training camp and cashes in just before the start of Week 1.

McCollum is at training camp and practicing in full, so there’s no reason to think the contract negotiations will impact his playing time. Entering his fourth season, McCollum is staring down unrestriscted free agency in the spring. He was elevated to a full-time role last year and didn’t disappoint with 17 pass breakups and two interceptions. The Bucs will either have to give him a multi-year extension or watch him test the open market after the season. It’s possible McCollum would be a franchise tag candidate with a huge season, but there’s still plenty of on-field work to be done before that’s more than an idea.

Kancey was inactive for Week 1, sidelined by his third recorded calf injury since 2023. S Antoine Winfield Jr. (undisclosed) and DB Josh Hayes (ankle) were also sidelined on Wednesday after CB Bryce Hall was sent to injured reserve on Tuesday. EDGE Logan Hall (foot) and CB Zyon McCollum (concussion) both practiced in a limited capacity, however.

McCollum started Week 1 of the preseason but hasn’t practiced since he was injured in a joint practice with Miami. The early rule out likely puts his Week 2 status in doubt. It’s possible the Bucs have a larger than expected role planned for the RAS superstar when he returns.

McCollum (6’2/199) comes from a small school in Sam Houston State but he’s the most-athletic cornerback of all time per relative athletic score. Scoring a perfect 10, McCollum had six speed and agility scores at the 97th percentile with his 39.5-inch vertical falling just outside of that in the 92.5 percentile. His athleticism popped at the Senior Bowl and was littered all over his tape as well. His freshman season showed impressive ball skills with 14 pass breakups. His athletic profile pairs well with his great size for the position. He has really good fluidity and the aforementioned ball skills are tremendous. He needs to be more physical at the line of scrimmage and throughout the route to take that next step, but he has the profile to play in nearly any system.

FCS players tend not to get an incredible amount of buzz due to the level of competition and just an overall lesser attention given to them, but McCollum (6'2"/199) deserves quite a bit of noise due to his athletic testing alone. Scoring a perfect 10 RAS is wild, and he blends great size for the position with blazing speed (4.33 40), elite agility and fantastic explosion. He didn’t get graded below a 9 in any test except for the bench press. McCollum would deserve to get drafted based on his athletic profile alone, but he was also productive in college, especially in the turnover department where he forced 13 interceptions and six fumbles. His length is the only thing not standout about his physical traits, which can be tough for a corner who need to press, but McCollum has some real potential.

Every year, we have a couple of FCS players that come into the combine virtually unknown and come out with a buzz. Sam Houston State’s McCollum (6'2"/199) put up some impressive numbers that measured up to his FBS counterparts. He had the third-best 40-time at 4.36 seconds, along with a 39.5' vertical and 11" board jump. He certainly has some impressive accolades coming into the draft -- a team captain who finished with a career 13 interceptions and six force fumbles, he uses his size advantage to shade in coverage and the footwork looks fluid as he moves to the ball. McCollum is someone you need to look out for in April.