Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht appeared on WDAE-AM 620 Sunday and took some time to discuss Tampa Bay’s new rookie cornerback M.J. Stewart and what his role will be this season. Now that the Buccaneers have had a first-hand glimpse at their rookies in minicamp, Licht said he likes what he sees from the former North Carolina product and believes he has a bright future in this league.

“He jumped right in there and was able to absorb all the information and all the plays we threw at him very quickly,” Licht said during the segment. “And, you know, an athletic guy, very strong, that’s not really going to show up in minicamp until we put the pads on at training camp. But very athletic, very strong, very smart, very instinctive.”

Licht added that the team will use Stewart as “strictly” a corner and not a safety and that there will be competition at cornerback with Carlton Davis, Vernon Hargreaves III and Stewart working alongside Brent Grimes.

“Right now, he’s strictly a corner, inside and out,” Licht emphasized. “I will say this, ‘He does have that skill set, that type of game that he plays. The traits that he has do suit, it looks like he could at some point play safety. But I’m not saying we’re going to do that. I’m just saying that’s a good thing when you have a corner that has that size, that strength, those instincts. Those are hard to find. He is a corner for us. He’s working at nickel. We’re working him outside, too. And you know, we’re pleased with the small sample size right now, but we’re pleased with the progression so far.”

With the No. 53 overall pick in the draft, the Bucs selected Stewart in the second round. Stewart joins the Buccaneers after finishing his college career as UNC’s all-time leader in pass breakups with 47. He also had six career interceptions during his time with the Tar Heels.

Stewart is best known for being a physical, productive and versatile defender. Aside from his 47 pass breakups, he also recorded 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.