Husky-Buccaneers Pipeline

With the 27th pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select cornerback Trent McDuffie from the University of Washington. The Buccaneers are getting thinner and thinner by the day when it comes to the secondary. McDuffie is a guy that could step in and be impactful this year. But who is Trent McDuffie?

Well, he is a name not many fans have thrown around when talking about the NFL Draft, but he could be the missing piece in the Buccaneers’ defensive schemes. McDuffie has drawn comparison to some pretty heavy-duty NFL stars such as Marcus Peters and Desmond Trufant. McDuffie could slide to the Buccaneers at No.27 due to his small frame, and if he does, the Buccaneers should pounce at the opportunity.

The Washington corner is fast with a 4.44 40 time but is super explosive when first turning on his jets. McDuffie provides the intangibles that we don’t see at the NFL Combine. His football IQ is off the charts. He also provides a lot of strength for someone of his stature. McDuffie has the ability to sniff out plays on the ground and through the air. He can run vertically and horizontally with such explosiveness that it almost seems to be unfair. The NFL.com prospect grades have McDuffie at 6.70, which means he would be a year one starter.

The former Husky has the ability to lock down speedy and shifty receivers due to his sure-tackling skills. He fills a need the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had; it should be a no-brainer. The Buccaneers might revisit the Washington Huskies in the first round again, after drafting Joe Tryon-Shoyinka last year. We know how that worked out, right?