The Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked up their 2025 draft efforts again on Friday night, nabbing Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison with the 21st pick of the second round, number 53 overall. Morrison played only six games in 2024 due to a hip injury that required surgery but the Buccaneers believe he would not have been available in the latter half of the second round otherwise.
"I would say he's a first-round talent," said Assistant General Manager Mike Biehl. "The injury certainly factored into it, I would think, for a lot of people this year. We're just excited to get him. He brings a lot to the table as a player and, again, another high-character kid who will fit in really good in this class with [first-round pick] Emeka Egbuka. He can play inside, he can play outside, he's got the versatility to play man and zone. He's shown the ability to play a lot of different techniques and he should be really good."
Cornerback was a clear area of need for the Buccaneers in this year's draft, something Head Coach Todd Bowles stated plainly during the NFL Annual Meeting in March. The 6-0, 193-pound Morrison was a playmaker for the Irish, with nine interceptions and 23 passes defensed in the 2022-23 seasons combined, and he offers both scheme and position versatility to a Buccaneers' defense that prizes those traits. The Bucs believe he will be ready to contribute immediately as a rookie.
"Yeah, we would never take somebody we weren't comfortable with [medically], especially this high of a pick," said Biehl. "He should be ready for training camp.
"He makes plays on the ball. He not only gets interceptions but he had a lot of PBUs, too. Again, a lot of guys can do that when they play zone and they're facing the quarterback, but he's shown the ability to be in man coverage and play with his back to the quarterback and still make plays. It's intriguing."
The Buccaneers' current outside starting duo at cornerback is comprised of Zyon McCollum and Jamel Dean, but the team's depth at the position was sorely tested by injuries in 2024. Safeties Tykee Smith and Christian Izien are candidates to start in the slot but Morrison could factor into either position right away.
"I think he comes in and he's competing right away," said Biehl. "Whether that be outside or Todd wants to try him in at nickel, I think he's got the versatility to do that. My guess is that he'll start outside but I think he's got the ability to do a lot of different things."
Morrison didn't participate in on-field drills at the Combine, of course, but he boasts speed, length, fluid movements and a confident and competitive approach to the game. He clearly fits a type that the Bowles and the Buccaneers prefer at one of the game's most difficult positions.
"He compares to our guys in the fact that he's six-foot, he can run," said Biehl. "He's probably a little bit looser than some of the guys we've had recently. He and Zyon are very similar as far as their size and athletic ability and speed and things like that."
View pictures of Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft
Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison (20) begins to celebrate with teammates Xavier Watts (26) and Gabriel Rubio after Morrison's interception of a pass by Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 35-14. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison (20) in action during an NCAA football game against Miami (OH) on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 28-3. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher)
Miami (Ohio) running back Kevin Davis (8) breaks a tackle by Notre Dame defensive back Benjamin Morrison (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison reacts after an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison (20) kneels next to a flag during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Oct. 14, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison (20) and Xavier Watts, celebrate Morrison's interception during an NCAA college football game against Clemson Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison (20) fist-bumps a photographer during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Notre Dame defensive back Benjamin Morrison (20) celebrates while wearing a Play Like a Champion Today backplate during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison (20) tackles Wake Forest wide receiver Jahmal Banks (80) after a catch during the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame defensive back Benjamin Morrison (20), right, knocks the ball away from Louisville wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame defensive back Benjamin Morrison (20) celebrates an interception that was called back due to a flag during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame defensive back Benjamin Morrison (20) celebrates with Notre Dame defensive back Leonard Moore (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame defensive back Benjamin Morrison (20) celebrates an interception that was called back due to a flag during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison (20) speaks to members of the media during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Notre Dame defensive back Benjamin Morrison (DB22) poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Notre Dame defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka (44) and Notre Dame defensive back Benjamin Morrison (20) celebrate during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio), Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame defensive back Benjamin Morrison (20) smiles after the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio), Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison (20) watches teammates during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
