Position Group: Safety
Players: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, Christian Izien, Rashad Wisdom, J.T. Gray, Marcus Banks (Reserve/Future), JJ Roberts (Reserve/Injured)
2025 Evaluation: Starting tandem Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith set the tone for the Buccaneers on the back end in 2025. Winfield played 1,038 snaps while Smith contributed 893. Winfield predominately lined up as the free safety in the post, while Smith manned the strong safety role. The former nabbed two interceptions, eight passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, a sack, 93 combined tackles, four tackles for loss and four quarterback hits. Winfield possesses sideline-to-sideline range and an elite recognition of play designs. He is a natural ball tracker and has outstanding pursuit leverage. Winfield plays with urgency and looks to punch the ball out to create fumbles. He had the fifth-lowest passer rating when targeted in 2025 per NextGen Stats with a minimum of 35 defensive targets (78.1)
Smith thrives when he can charge downhill with strength to take on blockers and the ability to mitigate weapons underneath. He is physical near the line of scrimmage and has short-area burst. Smith ranked No. 1 among safeties in 2025 with 13 passes defensed and ranked No. 5 with a 26.3 hawk percentage (interceptions plus passes defensed) among safeties with 30-plus defensive targets. He became the only player in 2025 with 100-plus tackles, 10-plus passes defensed and three-plus takeaways. Interchangeable safety Christian Izien played 166 snaps while dealing with oblique and quad injuries this past season. When on the field, he was effective with his explosion and tackling prowess.
2026 Outlook: Both starting safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith are under contract for 2026 and Christian Izien is a restricted free agent, meaning he has accrued three seasons in the NFL (not four) and has an expiring contract. He will be free to negotiate with other clubs but the Bucs can offer a qualifying tender that allows the Right of First Refusal. Tampa Bay will likely look to the draft and or free agency to add depth to the safety room.
