PFF predicts resurgence for Buccaneers star in 2025

Pro Football Focus believes a former All-Pro safety is poised to rebound after struggling in coverage last season.

A general view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets against the Kansas City Chiefs. | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Earlier this week, Pro Football Focus released an article listing a bounce-back candidate for each of the NFL’s 32 teams.

One Buccaneers defender made the list — safety Antoine Winfield Jr. was highlighted after an underwhelming 2024 season following a dominant campaign just one year prior.

Winfield Jr. posted a career-low coverage grade of 50.8 on PFF and, for the first time in his NFL career, failed to record a single interception.

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Jan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) warms up before a NFC wild card playoff against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

“Tampa Bay struggled to defend the middle of the field in 2024, due in part to injuries and a dip in production from star safety Antoine Winfield Jr", PFF said. "He posted a career-low 50.8 coverage grade and, for the first time in his career, failed to record an interception.”

The site still considers Winfield Jr. an easy bounce-back candidate in 2025, citing his elite performance in 2023 when he was the highest-graded safety in the NFL and ranked sixth in coverage. Tampa Bay is banking on his return to form to help shore up the middle of their defense and lead a secondary that showed cracks last season.

This upcoming year is crucial for Winfield Jr., who will be a key part of the Buccaneers’ plans — whether they aim to make a deep playoff run or continue reshaping their defensive identity under head coach Todd Bowles.

At the University of Minnesota, Winfield Jr.’s instincts and ball-hawking skills stood out despite injuries, and that same ability helped make him a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Buccaneers will hope the 2025 version of Winfield Jr. looks a lot more like the dominant safety of 2023 than the one who struggled last season. If he bounces back, Tampa Bay’s defense could look much more dangerous this fall.

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