Is Sean Murphy-Bunting one of the NFL's best slot defenders?
While some fans might just now be realizing the importance of the slot defender in the modern NFL game, Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans who watched Rond Barber write the book on it are already well aware. With NFL defenses playing the majority of their snaps in nickel packages, the slot defender has become a starting position in todays game. One of many reasons why Tampa Bays defense was able to dominate with such regularity last season was the presence of one of the leagues best at the position in Sean Murphy-Bunting. Touchdown Wires Doug Farrar recently ranked the top 11 slot defenders in the NFL, and Murphy-Bunting took the No. 9 spot. Heres what Farrar had to say about Murphy-Buntings impact for the Super Bowl champs:  Murphy-Buntings 2020 season was a perfect illustration of the axiom Its not how you start, its how you finish. In the regular season of his second NFL campaign, Tampa Bays primary slot defender allowed 40 catches on 47 targets for 459 yards, 264 yards after the catch, four touchdowns, one interception, and an opponent passer rating of 126.9. Yikes. Then, the postseason started, and Murphy-Bunting hit a level weve never seen from him before. From the wild-card round through the Buccaneers Super Bowl LV win, he gave up just 13 catches on 22 targets for 157 yards, 73 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions, and an opponent passer rating of 56.6. All of a sudden, receivers couldnt get away from Murphy-Bunting, and he was a big part of that playoff run. Aaron Rodgers, who threw this pick to Murphy-Bunting on a deep attempt to receiver Allen Lazard in the NFC Championship game, would certainly agree. Murphy-Bunting is heading into his third NFL season, and at just 23 years old, hes still only scratching the surface of his lofty potential. Hes clearly found a comfy spot in Todd Bowles dynamic defensive scheme, and with another year of experience under his belt (practicing one of the most talented and explosive passing attacks in the league, he should be even better in 2021. To check out Farrars complete list of the NFLs best slot defenders, click here.