Morrison’s rookie campaign did not meet expectations when he was on the field. He often looked overwhelmed and was frequently outshined by a fellow rookie, Jacob Parrish, who made a strong impression in the slot at times. Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker highlighted Morrison as one of the players with the most pressure to perform in Year 2, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Locker noted that Morrison, a Notre Dame product, entered the NFL with considerable promise, but his rookie year was hindered by multiple injuries. He appeared in only 360 snaps while rotating behind the starting corners. In coverage, Morrison posted a 50.0 PFF coverage grade and allowed a 110.8 passer rating when targeted, ranking 17th in that category among 100 qualified corners. His run defense also trailed, with a 35.5 PFF run-defense grade and a 21.2% miss-tackle rate.
Injuries followed Morrison into the offseason. The Buccaneers currently lack a proven, elite outside corner, and their top cover man from 2025 departed in free agency when Jamel Dean signed a three-year, $36.75 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Morrison’s injury history extends back to college and continued through his rookie year, casting doubt on whether he can stay healthy and maximize his potential.
During the 2024 season, Morrison appeared to be a top-graded prospect among cornerbacks, with many predicting a possible first-round selection for the 2025 draft. He spent his first two college seasons as Notre Dame’s lockdown corner, showing elite traits that had NFL teams optimistic. However, a season-ending hip surgery limited his college impact to six games, though Notre Dame advanced to the College Football Playoff National Championship without him. Morrison declared for the NFL Draft anyway, and with teams unable to participate in workouts, his stock slid. The Buccaneers eventually selected him in the second round and signed a four-year, $8.2 million contract.
Looking ahead, Morrison will likely receive opportunities to prove himself in 2026. The Buccaneers must determine whether he can overcome injuries and establish himself as a reliable outside corner, or if the team needs to pursue alternative options to bolster that position. The absence of a proven shutdown corner in the current roster remains a concern, and the franchise may need to revisit its scouting and development strategies to avoid similar misses in the future.
In summary, Morrison’s progression to date underscores the challenges of evaluating and developing outside cornerbacks in the NFL. With injuries complicating his trajectory and the team lacking established top-tier talent at the position, the Buccaneers face a critical period to either rehabilitate Morrison into a viable starter or seek capable help to shore up their secondary. As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on how the coaching staff and front office address this ongoing cornerback evaluation challenge.
