“Part Of The Mentality Of Our Front Office”
May 25th, 2025
Was the 2025 Buccaneers draft about more than bringing in fresh talent?
Rondé Barber is confident it was. The Hall of Fame cornerback is a true extreme Bucs insider, a guy who confessed recently to watching film of rookie minicamp practice.
Tampa Bay drafted (in order) a receiver, two cornerbacks and an edge rusher. Barber noted they have starters in place at all of those positions.
Speaking on The Rondé Barber Show on WFLA-TV streaming platforms, Barber said the Bucs’ draft hearkened him back to his playing days. When the Bucs selected cornerback Aqib Talib (2008) and others, that ignited a fire in him.
“All it did was make me sharper, make me more hungry and make me want to compete,” Barber said. “So I think that was part of the mentality of our front office when they went out and drafted some of these guys. Yeah, you’re looking for succession planning. Obviously, at wide receiver, you certainly are. Jamel Dean gets challenged this year; you’re looking for who could be next. You’re certainly looking for some edge talent.”
Intriguing perspective from Barber. How will the Bucs’ draft motivate Dean? Will the same concept apply to Zyon McCollum and the Bucs’ receivers and outside linebackers rooms?
Dean hasn’t had competition for his position since the 2022 season.
Barber also noted Bucs’ rookies are in an ideal situation because none need to be a savior — a sign of a good team. “It does take some pressure off them when they’re not expected to play right away,” he said.
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