Selected in the third round (94th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers.
Has played in 82 games with 63 starts, totaling 306 tackles (six for loss), 52 passes defensed, eight interceptions (returned 93 yards, one touchdown), two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and four special teams tackles.
Started 9-of-10 postseason games, recording 49 tackles (one for loss), nine passes defensed and one forced fumble.
Since 2019, has recorded 52 passes defensed, tied for the 22nd-most in the NFL during that span. Has five games with at least four passes defensed in that span, the most such games in the NFL.
Tampa Bay's 2020 defense led the league in rushing yards allowed per game (80.6) and yards allowed per rush (3.60), while ranking sixth in yards allowed per play (5.12), sixth in yards allowed per game (327.1), ranking tied for second in tackles for loss (91), tied for fourth in sacks (48.0) and tied for fifth in takeaways (25).
In 2019, tied for fourth in the NFL in passes defensed (17). Posted three separate games with at least four passes defensed, the most such games in a single season since 2000.
Scored first career touchdown on a 32-yard interception return from Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (10/18/20).
Made first career start at Atlanta (11/24/19), recording a career-high five passes defensed, tied for the most in a single game in the NFL in 2019 and tied for the most by a Buccaneers player in a single game since 2007 (also Carlton Davis, 2019 at Atlanta).
Recorded first career interception against Arizona (11/10/19).
Made NFL debut vs. San Francisco (9/8/19).
Started at cornerback in the Week 1 victory over the Washington Commanders, playing all 59 defensive snaps. Led Tampa Bay with 26 coverage snaps and was only targeted one time, allowing zero receptions.
Started at cornerback in the Week 2 victory at the Detroit Lions, playing all 85 defensive snaps. Logged a then-career-high-tying 10 tackles and added one pass defensed.
In Week 3 vs. Denver, started at cornerback and played all 68 defensive snaps. He finished with a then-career-high and a Buccaneers team-high 13 tackles.
Dean's 13 tackles in Week 3 marked the second consecutive week that he tied or reset his career best in tackles. His 23 tackles from Weeks 2-3 marked the most by a Tampa Bay cornerback across a two-game span in a single season in franchise history, surpassing the previous mark of 21 set by Rondé Barber in the 2004 season.
Started at cornerback in the Week 4 victory over Philadelphia, playing all 57 defensive snaps and logging five tackles and two passes defensed.
Dean's two passes defensed in Week 4 marked his 10th career game with multiple passes defensed and his first since Week 8 of the 2023 season at Buffalo.
He was Tampa Bay's second-highest graded defensive player in the Week 4 win over Philadelphia — and the highest-graded cornerback in the NFL that week — according to Pro Football Focus, earning an 86.1 overall grade.
Played all 87 defensive snaps in Week 5 at Atlanta, recording nine tackles and one pass defensed.
In the Week 6 win over New Orleans, logged 10 defensive snaps and one tackle before leaving with injury.
Was placed on Injured Reserve prior to the Week 7 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Was activated from Injured Reserve prior to Tampa Bay's Week 12 game against the New York Giants.
In the Week 12 win over the New York Giants, played all 59 defensive snaps and finished with two tackles and his first career forced fumble.
Played all 70 defensive snaps in the Week 13 win at Carolina, tallying five tackles.
In the Week 14 win over Las Vegas, played all 67 defensive snaps and recorded two tackles.
Played all 52 defensive snaps in the Week 15 win over the L.A. Chargers, logging three tackles, two passes defensed and one interception. It marked his second game in 2024 with multiple passes defensed.
Per Next Gen Stats, Dean was targeted six times in Week 15, yielding just two receptions for seven yards to generate an opponent passer rating of 2.8.
Dean's interception in Week 15 marked his first since Week 2 of the 2022 season, a span of 35 games.
Played all 60 defensive snaps in Week 16 at Dallas, logging three tackles. Yielded three receptions.
In the Week 17 win over the Carolina Panthers, played 23-of-47 defensive snaps before leaving with injury. Finished with one tackle and one pass defensed.
Was inactive for the Week 18 victory over New Orleans.
Started at cornerback in the Wild Card round against Washington, playing 48 defensive snaps before leaving with injury. Logged four tackles and one pass defensed.
Attended Cocoa High School (Cocoa, Florida), where he was a two-time Florida first-team Class 4A all-state pick and was named the 2014 Brevard County player of the year and the Florida Athletic Coaches Association's District 12 MVP.
Son of Yolanda Kimbrough and James Dean.
Has four brothers: Derrick Jr., James Jr., Jamaine and Jayden.
In 2020, supported RISE as part of the NFL's My Cause, My Cleats initiative.
In June 2019, Dean participated in Tampa's Police Department Citizen's Academy and visited MacDill's Air Force Base as part of the rookie's program.
