Tampa Bay Buccaneers Top Free Agent Safety Options
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' safety room needs an overhaul this offseason to infuse youth and depth at the position. While they have retained safety Antoine Winfield Jr. by way of the franchise tag, and the plan is to continue negotiations on a long-term deal, there is little depth on the roster.
The Bucs liked what they saw out of undrafted rookie Kae'von Merriweather, but things didn't go to plan with free agent signing Ryan Neal who will likely not be back with the team. We saw the team utilize multiple players on the back end including Dee Delaney, Christian Izien, and Zyon McCollum all getting reps next to Winfield Jr.
Bucs general manager Jason Licht said at the combine he thinks Merriweather and Izien could play opposite Winfield and they have high hopes for both players. Head coach Todd Bowles mentioned that Zyon can play either safety spot and they could use him there next year — a lot will depend on free agency and the draft.
One thing is for certain: the Bucs could use more depth at the position, whether that is by way of a veteran with some league experience, a rookie on a cost-controlled contract, or both. The safety market is flooded with talent after some surprising cuts ahead of free agency and the Bucs could swing big to pair someone with Winfield Jr. They could also just settle for depth signings. Either way, the position room should look different come training camp.
Jeremy Chinn
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Chinn didn't quite mesh with Ejiro Evero's system in Carolina and was plagued by injuries the last two seasons. After two straight 100 tackle seasons to begin his career, he totaled just 100 tackles combined over the past two seasons. When healthy, Chinn's size, athleticism, and versatility make him an intriguing chess piece that can be used in a variety of ways.
He suits best as a hybrid safety nickel linebacker role and can erase tight ends from the play with his coverage ability. He's got a knack for making big plays with two interceptions, three fumbles, and recoveries including two touchdowns and four sacks over his four-year career. He is projected to sign a one-year deal worth $3 million per PFF.
Jordan Whitehead
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Whitehead has certainly fueled the fire of a potential Bucs return, recently posting clips of plays he made as a Buccaneer. Bringing Whitehead back into the fold would be a smart move for the Bucs. He plays that kind of enforcer role the defense lacked last season and already knows the system. However, the issues that plagued him during his tenure still remain and he will struggle with coverage assignments and missed tackles. The Bucs could do a lot worse than a back end of Whitehead and Winfield Jr though. He is projected to sign a two-year deal worth about $12 million.
Mike Edwards
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Another former Bucs safety. Edwards departed in free agency last season, signing a one-year deal with the Chiefs. It worked out well for him, as he won his second Super Bowl of his career. Edwards isn't a starter and wouldn't have to be if the Bucs went through the draft to fill the position, but he is a ball hawk that can create turnovers in three safety looks. The Bucs need depth at the position and Edwards would be a relatively cheap option and already knows the system the Bucs are running. He is projected to sign a one-year deal worth about $3.5 million.
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