The Tampa Bay Buccaneers spent the offseason trying to fix a defense that let them down badly last year. They added veteran help in free agency, then doubled down in the draft with three players who should step in right away. The biggest of that group is first-round edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., but the Bucs’ defensive outlook in 2026 may end up depending just as much on a player who doesn’t get nearly enough national attention: strong safety Tykee Smith.
Smith already flashed like a difference-maker in a defense that struggled with discipline and tackling. Even with Antoine Winfield Jr. earning the Pro Bowl nod as Tampa Bay’s starting free safety, Smith was the more effective player. He stood out in run support and in shutting down work over the middle, two areas where the Bucs needed steadiness.
What makes Smith’s season even more impressive is what he played through. According to a report from Joe Bucs Fan, the 25-year-old was dealing with an injury so severe that he could not raise his arm above his shoulder. That was worse than anyone realized at the time, and yet he still managed to produce at a high level.
Despite that pain, Smith finished with 100 tackles and 13 passes defended in just his second NFL season. That kind of production, while compromised physically, only adds to the case that he’s on the rise. With a stronger front seven in front of him, more experience under his belt, and better health, the ceiling looks even higher.
Smith isn’t a household name around the league, but he was viewed as a Defensive Rookie of the Year sleeper in his first season and backed that up with one of the best strong safety seasons in the NFL last year. If he gets through 2026 without the injury issues that slowed him down, he has a real chance to push into the top 10 at his position.
In Other News...
Jon Grudens One-Night Buccaneers Return Feels Bigger Than It Seems
Jon Gruden is set to be back in an official NFL role in August, when he handles play-by-play for a Buccaneers preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. For Tampa Bay fans, it is a notable reunion with a coach who once helped shape the franchises most memorable era, even if this latest assignment is in the booth rather than on the sideline.
The move also gives Gruden another public foothold in the league after his resignation from the Raiders in 2021, and it comes at a time when he has made no secret of his interest in broadcasting and, potentially, coaching again. For now, though, the only confirmed step is the preseason broadcast, leaving the bigger question of where this leads still open. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs Face One Tough Call On Their Biggest Offensive Weakness
The Buccaneers have built one of the more complete offensive rosters in the league, but there is still a clear soft spot behind Cade Otton at tight end. Tampa Bay does not have much proven depth there, which is why the position keeps surfacing as one of the few areas that could still use attention if the front office wants to keep the passing game balanced and protected against injuries.
One recent idea floating around was the possibility of adding a tight end from Houston, where the depth chart is crowded enough that a move might make sense for both sides. The appeal is obvious for Tampa Bay: a player who can help as a receiver and give the offense another option without asking too much of the system. The harder part is the cost, because it would be a little out of character for Jason Licht to spend draft capital on someone who would likely be more of a rotational piece than a headline addition. [Read more 🡒]