The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' four-year streak as NFC South Champions came to a halt as the club finished with an 8-9 record and 2-7 finish to the 2025 slate. Through Week 18, the Bucs' defense finished 19th in total defense (337.2), 27th in passing defense (238.2), fifth in rushing defense (99.1), 20th in scoring defense (24.2) and 32nd in red zone defense (69.8%). Throughout the roller-coaster year, the following trio created a surge:
Jamel Dean
Jamel Dean allowed the lowest passer rating (41.3) when targeted among cornerbacks in 2025 with a minimum of 35 defensive targets per NextGen Stats. Additionally, Dean had the second-lowest completion percentage (43.1%) when targeted among cornerbacks with a minimum of 35 defensive targets in 2025. He is one of 12 players with 55-plus passes defensed, 10-plus interceptions and multiple defensive touchdowns since 2019. Dean has the length to disrupt the catch space and he can accelerate quickly to top-speed. He is physical along the boundary and has effective change-of-direction from press.
Tykee Smith
Tykee Smith became the only player with 100-plus tackles, 10-plus passes defensed and three-plus takeaways in 2025. He is one of four Buccaneers since 2008 with 100-plus tackles, 10-plus passes defensed, five-plus tackles for loss and two-plus sacks in a season. Smith led safeties in passes defensed in 2025 with 13 and he ranked fourth in hawk rate (interceptions and passes defensed) in 2025 among safeties with a minimum of 30 defensive targets (26.3%). He was tied for fifth in most tackles for loss among safeties in 2025 and has a quick downhill trigger and short-area burst. Smith effectively mirrored routes underneath and took on blockers with aggression. Smith delivers hard hits at the point of contact and plays with solid awareness in coverage.
Yaya Diaby
Yaya Diaby is one-of-seven players since 2008 with 12-plus tackles for loss in each of their first three seasons, joining Lavonte David, Maxx Crosby, Aaron Donald, Khalil Mack, Micah Parsons and J.J. Watt. He had the sixth highest pressure rate (16.3%) in 2025 with a minimum of 350 pass rush snaps per NextGen Stats and consistently made his way into the backfield. He led the Bucs with 7.0 sacks in 2025 and nabbed 19 quarterback hits and 62 pressures (14th). The power rusher is lightning quick out of his stance and has the lateral burst for twists/stunts. He separates at the point of attack with a lethal punch and helped bolster Tampa Bay's defensive front.
