Deone Bucannon, the 27th-overall pick by the Cardinals in the 2014 draft, was originally taken out of Washington State, to play the safety position. However, then Cardinals defensive coordinator, James Bettcher would find a specialty role for the 6’1″, 211 pound, athletic safety, converting him to a hybrid linebacker. During his time as New York Giants defensive coordinator, Bettcher hasn’t employed a ‘moneybacker’ too often, but that now may soon change.
Bucannon thrived in the ‘moneybacker’ role in Bettcher’s defense from 2014-2017. However, when his rookie contract expired, he signed a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, choosing to play for his former head coach, Bruce Arians, despite there being rumors that he’d join Bettcher in New York.