The Pewter Report analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of each position in Tampa Bay as the Bucks look to three-peat as NFC Southern champions.
quarterback
running back
wide receiver
tight end
offensive line
line of defense
outside linebacker
inside linebacker
corner back
Rounding out the series is the Tampa Bay safety, with some of the league’s best up-and-coming defenders in Antoine Winfield Jr. and rookie Ryan Neal, and a host of unproven talent behind them. The safety position is one of the most important positions in Todd Bowles’ complex defensive scheme. Bowles wants a lot from safety in terms of being able to switch between free and strong safety and blitz from slot.
Will Winfield and Neil’s awesome tandem give this unit an edge? Or will the unproven depth in safe spots drag this unit to the point where he’ll be a weak spot in 2023. The Bucks have spent this offseason on the heels of veteran Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan and Keanu. Moved from Neal. Edwards signed with Kansas City and Neil moved to Pittsburgh, but Ryan, 32, remains unsigned.
Backs Ss Strength: Starters are playmakers
Bucks S. Ryan Neal – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
Antoine Winfield Jr. is one of the best safeties in the league. He was a Day 1 starter with a second-round pick and helped the Bucks win Super Bowl LV as a rookie in 2020. The following year, Winfield became a Pro Bowler for the first time during the 2021 season. But last year, head coach and defensive playcaller Todd Bowles decided to move Winfield into the frame as the team’s nickelback. Winfield’s only interception all season was in Week 1’s victory over Dallas, so the move didn’t produce the desired results and he struggled with man coverage at times.
From now on, Winfield will return to free safety, where Bowles will demonstrate his vision, range and ball-hawking ability as a cover 1 and cover 3 center fielder. This will allow him to play more on the ball and hopefully return to the Pro Bowl. Winfield entering his contract year.
The Bucks signed former Seattle Safety guard Ryan Neal this offseason. Replacing the tandem of Mike Edwards and Keanu Neal in Strong Safety, Neal was the highest-grade safety in Pro Football Focus last year. A former Seattle reserve, Neal replaced the injured Jamal Adams. Recorded an overall PFF grade of 85.6 In 2022.
Bucks S Chris Aijien – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
Bucks hopes Neil, who signed a one-year certification deal, can do it, not a one-year miracle. Recreate the season you spent with the Seahawks last year. Neal had 66 tackles, eight pass breaks, one interception, one sack and one fumble.
Tampa Bay has undrafted free agents Kayvon Merriweather and Chris Izien, along with Winfield and Neal, as well as Kedric Whitehead and last year’s retainer Nolan Turner, plus potential talent. Slugger Meriweather could become a top reserve after a strong training camp and preseason. Izien has a chance to claim the nickelback spot in this slot if he can beat veteran Dee Delaney and fellow newcomer Josh Hayes.
Best-case scenario with S
Winfield and Neal have remained healthy throughout the season, becoming playmaking turnover machines in the secondary and both attracting Pro Bowl consideration. Meriweather will emerge as the number 3 safety and a future starter candidate, while Igien will take the nickelback spot as a rookie.
Bucs Ss Weakness: Unproven Depth
Bucks S. Nolan Turner – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
Due to the nature of the position, playing wire-for-wire all season is tough on safety. Antoine Winfield Jr. has missed a total of seven games due to injury over the past two seasons, including four in 2022 due to a concussion and ankle sprain. Ryan Neal also missed three games last year in Seattle due to injury. If the Bucks lose either or both starters to injury this season, the safety position could become an issue.
Tampa Bay had a very veteran unit last year with Logan Ryan, Keanu Neal and Mike Edwards playing alongside Winfield. But while that trio is gone, the aging Ryan could re-sign if needed as long as he’s still a free agent. The Bucks keep five safes thanks to special teams, with acclaimed rookies Kayvon Merriweather and Chris Izien teaming up with fellow rookie Kedric Whitehead or last year’s practice squad Nolan Turner. very likely to join.
That would leave the Bucks horribly inexperienced in safety, second only to Winfield and Neal.
Worst case scenario in S
With either Winfield or Neal suffering a serious injury that could keep them out for a few games, some would think Tampa Bay would need to sign a veteran like Ryan to stabilize their position for the season. Especially if Meriweather and Igien are slow to develop and not ready to enter the starting lineup as rookies.
