During the early phase of their 2025 training camp, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have debuted a starting safety duo featuring 2023 first-team All-Pro Antoine Winfield Sr. alongside promising second-year player Tykee Smith. This blend of veteran leadership and youthful talent presents a potentially impactful combination that could strengthen the Buccaneers’ defensive backfield. Observers note that Smith’s initial performances evoke similarities to Winfield’s playing style, raising expectations for the team’s secondary.
Antoine Winfield Sr.’s Career and Role Evolution
Selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Antoine Winfield Sr. quickly secured a starting spot as a rookie and distinguished himself with notable plays, especially in postseason games. After two productive seasons, the Buccaneers experimented with moving Winfield closer to the line of scrimmage in a hybrid slot corner role during nickel defense formations. Despite recording 4.0 sacks, the hybrid approach was deemed only moderately successful and discontinued after one year. Returning to a traditional safety role in 2023, Winfield had a breakout season that culminated in his well-earned All-Pro designation.
Tykee Smith’s Rise and Transition into Safety
Tykee Smith was drafted in the third round in 2024 and initially competed for the slot cornerback position, a role he won. During his rookie year, Smith’s contributions included two interceptions, three forced fumbles, seven passes defensed, four tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits. Many analysts compared Smith’s defensive impact to that of Winfield’s earlier career. Now, Smith is transitioning from slot corner to play safety alongside Winfield, signaling a new chapter in his development and the Buccaneers’ defensive strategy.
Smith’s Perspective on Teaming Up with Winfield
Smith has expressed optimism about sharing the field with Winfield, emphasizing the benefits of their similar playing styles. He remarked,
“That has been a blessing, for us to be doing similar things,”
and added,
“That has been a blessing not being able to just contain one of us. We always have to hold it down and get a block and blitz too. That has been a blessing, [that] we have been similar in playstyle together.”
These comments reflect Smith’s belief that their partnership will provide versatility and stability for Tampa Bay’s defense.
Collegiate Background Adds to Smith’s Safety Credentials
Smith’s safety experience dates back to his college years, starting at West Virginia where he played two seasons as a traditional safety and earned second-team All-America honors in 2020. Seeking a greater challenge, he transferred to Georgia in 2021 and shifted to the STAR position—a hybrid role combining slot and safety responsibilities—in coach Kirby Smart’s defense. In 2023, Smith led one of the nation’s top defenses with 70 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and four interceptions, demonstrating his ability to excel in multiple defensive roles.
Coaching Staff Confident in Smith’s Adaptability at Safety
Although the Buccaneers could have kept Smith at slot corner where there are numerous options, they chose to move him to the safety role that opened up after Jordan Whitehead’s departure. Tampa Bay’s coaches are optimistic that Smith’s past safety experience and recent collegiate success make him well-suited to contribute alongside Winfield. This strategic shift aims to enhance the team’s defensive versatility and prepare them for a stronger 2025 season.
Implications for Tampa Bay’s Defensive Future
The decision to deploy Tykee Smith and Antoine Winfield Sr. together at safety comes at a pivotal time for the Buccaneers, as the team looks to reinforce its secondary. With Winfield’s veteran presence and Smith’s adaptable skill set complementing each other, Tampa Bay’s defense may gain new dynamics in coverage, blitzing, and run support. If Smith continues to develop in this role, the Buccaneers could see a deeper and more aggressive safety tandem ready to impact games throughout the 2025 season and beyond.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Tykee Smith’s religion?
A. Smith follows the Muslim faith in his personal life.
Q. Will Tykee Smith get drafted?
A. Smith was picked by the Bucs in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He is part of the rookie class that includes Bucky Irving, Devin Culp, and Elijah Klein. They all reached agreements on their contracts. Smith, like the others, signed the typical four-year rookie contract.
Q. Is Tykee Smith a safety?
A. Tykee Quideir Smith, born on February 18, 2001, is a pro football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL. He played college football with the West Virginia Mountaineers and Georgia Bulldogs.
Q. What is Tykee Smith’s rating in Madden 25?
A. Tykee Smith has a rating of 75 in EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 25.