One of the biggest factors in the Bucs selecting Tykie Smith in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft was the versatility he brings to the secondary. He spent time at safety at West Virginia and played the nickel role at Georgia last season.
Not only does he have experience in both positions, but he also adds the challenge of high-level competition to his resume.
Smith is “Dawg Mind” From Georgia’s national championship-caliber defense to Tampa Bay’s secondary, he’ll be learning from one of the best players in the world. antwone winfield jr. in the process.
Tykie Smith showed a desire to be great
Bucks assistant general manager John Spytek was the one who came down from the war room to speak to the media on the second and third days of the draft. While considering the thought process behind each pick, Spytek specifically praised Tykie Smith.
In many ways, Smith was needed at the safety position when Tampa Bay was looking for a player to slot behind Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead. A young player with the potential to be a hawk with enough skill to compete for playing time and develop throughout the secondary.
Evaluate the safety position with Bucs draft previewmy thoughts are:
Head coach Todd Bowles is a big proponent of having depth at defensive back and having versatile players who can play multiple roles, especially in the secondary. Tampa Bay’s defense played its best football en route to a Super Bowl win in 2020, when the team had three dependable safeties in Winfield, Whitehead and Mike Edwards.
Spytek brought up both Edwards and Winfield when talking about the new additions to the safety room.
“You see a kid around the ball a lot, and when the ball finds him, he usually makes a play on the ball,” Spytek said. “I mean, Mike Edwards was a little bit like that. Just the ball was like a magnet to them, and a lot of times people would say, ‘What a lucky bounce,’ and they’d say, ‘Really?’ It’s a feeling.’ Because it happens over and over and over and over again.
“Tiki got a few picks in chip ball, and I was always thinking about things like that: ‘What are you going to do to be great?’ To increase turnovers. What do you want to do?” The person standing here [points to his right] And when the ball is thrown, it falls hopelessly to the ground over there. [points to his left], never looked at.a person who hustles from [the right to the left] And they end up getting the ball in their hands, and they deserve credit for that. ”
Smith seems ready for the role and wants to make impactful plays for the Bucks’ defense.
“Being able to change the flow of the game is something I pride myself on because you get paid for turnovers,” Smith said of his playmaking mindset. “And being able to make impact plays is something I’m proud of, and I can’t wait to show it on the ground.”
Who better for Tykie Smith to learn from than Antoine Winfield Jr.?
Antoine Winfield Jr.’s 2023 season will be talked about for years to come.
That is if he fails to top his otherworldly production again in 2024.
winfield worthy of all his flowers Because of the numbers he counted. He had a total of 122 tackles. Recorded 6 forced fumbles and bag. Oh, and sprinkle in four more fumble recoveries and his three interceptions as well.
One thing the Bucs appreciate about Winfield is that all of this didn’t suddenly happen out of nowhere. No, it comes from approaching every practice like a game, building on each day and acting like a professional. In late December, head coach Todd Bowles talked about the qualities that set him apart from other players.
“He’s instinctive, he’s talented, he studies film hard, he practices like that, he asks a lot of questions,” Bowles said at the time. “We can move him around a few spots, but his football IQ allows him to do a lot of the things he does.”
Going back to Tykie Smith, he has worked to build his game on a similar foundation. Smith’s instincts and talent allowed him to be on the field as a Bulldogs defenseman last season, recording 70 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, six pass deflections, a team-high four interceptions, and two sacks. He showed he can make big plays often. Over 14 games. Often, he would stand out on film for his hustle and small jobs, which also stood out to John Spytek and other members of the Bucks’ front office.
“That’s Tykey and that’s Antoine,” Spytech said. “Of course you know about Antoine and the play he’s shown this year. ‘What effort are you going to put in?’ We’re looking for someone to do the extra thing. ”
The team is certainly hoping to solidify its immediate safety position with Smith, Winfield and Jordan Whitehead. Whether it’s moving the ball through the air, coming in along the edge with scheduled blitzes, or snuffing out the run, the trio of youth and upside creates plays and challenges opposing offenses.
That’s why Tykie Smith is looking forward to being a sponge alongside Antwon Winfield Jr., who has been one of the best players in his four seasons in the NFL.
“I’m really excited,” Smith said of playing with the All-Pro safety. “[He’s] He’s one of the best safeties in the league, so it’s a blessing to have the opportunity to learn from him and practice with him every day. ”