After filling a role at nickel during his rookie campaign, Buccaneers' safety Tykee Smith transitioned to a full-time, every-down safety role opposite Antoine Winfield Jr. in 2025. Smith played 893 snaps last season and ranked No. 1 in the NFL among safeties with 13 passes defensed and No. 5 with a 26.3 hawk percentage (interceptions plus passes defensed) among safeties with 30-plus defensive targets.
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 became the only player in 2025 with 100-plus tackles, 10-plus passes defensed and three-plus takeaways. His comfort fostered growth in his second season in Todd Bowles' system.
"I think me playing more full-speed this year," said Smith on his development. "With me going into my second year being back there, being in more space when I played more down to the line of scrimmage my rookie year. So, [for] me just being better in space this year. I think I had some really good moments in being able to defend the run, cover some tight ends. The biggest thing is improving [with] just me getting better in space."
Entering 2026 with his starting safety role entrenched, Smith is prioritizing his angles and leverage in the open field. He thrives working in a phone booth with urgency downhill. Smith is a physical striker and plays with a quick trigger in the run game. He played in a middle-field safety role at West Virgina before shifting to a nickel gig in Georgia's 4-2-5 base. Coaches raved about the compact player's production on the field during the team's 6-2 start in 2025 and he will vie to continue that level of production in the 2026 slate for Tampa Bay.
