It's time for another round of "Performance Preview," in which Staff Writer/Reporter Brianna Dix and I make our picks to click for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' next game. This is more than just a brief bit of game analysis, it's a competition. That's right: We're keeping score
The rules are simple: Bri and I each pick one Buccaneers player on Friday and explain why we think they are poised for a big game. We can't duplicate picks so order may matter; Bri picked first last week so that honor rotates to me this week. Since neither of us would be impartial enough to do the judging after the game, we've asked Team Reporter Casey Phillips to step in as the guest judge each week. (Presumably she will be impartial, though she did suggest she might be open to bribes.)
In Week One prior to the Buccaneers game against the Falcons in Atlanta, Bri boldly went with a rookie in wide receiver Emeka Egbuka while I turned to the defense and predicted a big game from Yaya Diaby in his hometown. Here is Casey's unfortunate and misguided assessment of how that turned out (just kidding, Casey, you're the best and I know you'll show great judgement in Week Two):
"Bri wins.
I'm hearing this is like math class and you have to show your work so I have to explain my answer, even though this might be the most self-explanatory Pick to Click judgment I'll ever have to make. No offense to Yaya, he had a great game. But two TDs in your first game as a rookie and one is a game winner?? The fact that Emeka might be the most hyped rookie I've seen in a long time, and he more than lived up to it in week one in so impressive. The maturity, the route running, the competitive spirit…this is a guy who feels like he could be the Pick to Click for the Bucs for years and years to come, which is music to Bucs fans' ears."
And our updated Performance Preview Scoreboard:
Brianna Dix: 1
Scott Smith: 0
Now let's make our picks for Week Two.
Scott Smith: Zyon McCollum
Picking first, I initially wanted to go with someone on offense, because I feel like it's easier for players on that side of the ball to put up gaudy numbers that will catch the judge's eye. But, man, that Houston defense is scary. So I'm sticking with defense for a second straight week and going with the Bucs' number-one cornerback, Zyon McCollum.
Here's what Head Coach Todd Bowles had to say about McCollum immediately after the Buccaneers' win in Atlanta last Sunday: "He's a heck of a player. He's a run defender and a pass defender. I don't know if there's a corner his size, 6'1", 200 pounds, with that speed and quickness and can play the run at the rim. He really does a good job in all areas of the game, not just the pass game."
This was after McCollum tallied 10 tackles and one tackle for loss, the latter a critical stop inside the Bucs' five-yard line with just over two minutes left in the game. Though he was not credited with any passes defensed in that game, McCollum did have two potential interceptions leak out of his hands. Yes, he needs to catch those balls, but he his obviously providing the type of tight coverage that is putting him into position to make such plays. He's my Pick to Click this week because I think he's going to create at least one more such takeaway opportunity against a struggling Houston passing attack and this time he's going to make the play.
Brianna Dix: OLB Haason Reddick
In his Buccaneers' debut at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week One, outside linebacker Haason Reddick tallied his first sack of the season, dropping Falcons' quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for a nine-yard loss. He fired out of a two-point stance and worked up-and-under Elijah Wilkinson with a lethal first-step that overwhelmed the Falcons' offensive lineman. In Week One, Reddick generated a team-high seven pressures, including three in under 2.5 seconds according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Overall, Reddick generated five pressures on 22 matchups with Wilkinson, including three of his quick pressures and the sack per Next Gen metrics.
The Texans' offensive line struggled down the stretch in 2024, allowing the second-most sacks in the NFL on C.J. Stroud. The unit already ranks 20th in 2025 by surrendering three in Week One. According to NFL Next Gen, Stroud was pressured on 41.2% of his dropbacks in the team's loss to the Rams and I predict Reddick will wreak havoc on Monday Night Football in primetime. Reddick set the tone in Week One and showed flashes throughout the game. He is my Pick to Click this week because on third down, I think Reddick is going to be a menace, collapsing the pocket around Stroud.
