The Buccaneers came away with a stunning victory at the same venue as the final game of the 2023 season. Tampa Bay’s defense allowed just 16 points on Sunday after allowing 51 points in the previous two meetings.
Undoubtedly, something, or maybe a few things, changed after just one season, and a big part of that change was personnel.
Several young players on defense stepped up and showed that if they maintain their current form, this defense has the potential to be something special.
Buccaneers cornerback Zion McCollum
Buccaneers CB Zion McCollum – Photo Credit: USA Today
When Tampa Bay traded away Carlton Davis III and signed Bryce Hall in the offseason, many openly wondered if the Buccaneers would falter with such a big question mark at cornerback, while the team maintained it was banking on third-year cornerback Zion McCollum’s ability to take on a full-time starting role and succeed.
We looked at McCollum’s 2023 video and found that I saw that vision myself. It’s expected to be a big debut party for the former fifth-round pick, who showed he’s ready for the responsibility by playing the best game of his career on Sunday.
Per NFL Pro, McCollum played 57 snaps in coverage in Week 2. He was targeted five times and only allowed one catch for four yards and his first career interception, along with six tackles and four passes defended.
McCollum’s performance was outstanding, preventing the Lions from running the mid-range dig and sail route that they most like to run.
All of Zion McCollum’s target repeats came in coverage, with plenty of zone wins featuring inside/outside breaks at the top of routes.
Move smoothly through your hips to transition into the horizontal plane.
He trusts his speed, acceleration and athleticism and keeps his eyes on the backfield to read the quarterback. pic.twitter.com/duiVhXZbQx— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) September 16, 2024
In my opinion, it’s not hyperbole to think McCollum can elevate to one of the top 5-10 cornerbacks in the NFL. He’s always been blessed with athleticism, but it’s his zone awareness and quick decision-making that hold his game together.
Buccaneers defensive back Tykee Smith
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and DB Tykee Smith – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
Tykee Smith earned a starting spot in training camp thanks to his football IQ. He transferred to the Buccaneers from Georgia where he played a key “star” role in Kirby Smart’s NFL-like defense. That IQ was on full display against the Lions.
All of Zion McCollum’s target repeats came in coverage, with plenty of zone wins featuring inside/outside breaks at the top of routes.
Move smoothly through your hips to transition into the horizontal plane.
He trusts his speed, acceleration and athleticism and keeps his eyes on the backfield to read the quarterback. pic.twitter.com/duiVhXZbQx— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) September 16, 2024
NextGen Stats graded Smith at 6 catches for 60 yards, but noted that his 54.5% catch rate was 14% lower than expected and the Lions actually earned negative expected points (EPA) when targeting Smith. Smith was also a key cog in the Buccaneers’ run defense.
The team was without defensive end Kalijah Kansey for the game and further hampered by an injury to nose tackle Vita Vea midway through the game, so it was up to the rest of the defense to make up for their absence, and Smith played a big role in that. Eight tackles, including one tackle for loss.
The Buccaneers have rotated several players in the slot over the past three years, including Sean Murphy-Bunting, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Christian Izien, but Smith’s early return suggests he could be a long-term option for years to come.
Buccaneers safety Christian Izien
Buccaneers S Christian Izien – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Christian Izien replaced Tykee Smith as the starting nickel but was forced to sit out Sunday following a foot injury to All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr. It was the second-year defensive back’s first professional start at safety.
In true game-play fashion, the young Buccaneers defensive back rose to the challenge, staying on top of the Lions’ passing attack and only attempting two passes of 20 yards or more, even as quarterback Jared Goff dropped back to make passes. 58 times!
Idien had nine total tackles and caught a key interception late in the game as Detroit tried to mount a fourth-quarter comeback. He was as agile, physical and dynamic as the rest of the Buccaneers’ defense.
It’s just flying recklessly.Chris Craft pic.twitter.com/Ck3M5WD9q3
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) September 16, 2024
Buccaneers inside linebacker Servosia Dennis
Buccaneers ILB Cervosia Dennis and Lions RB Jameel Gibbs – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Servosia Dennis is the biggest wild card. He didn’t play in the preseason and only appeared 101 times on defense last year in the regular season. The Buccaneers drafted him in the fifth round in 2023 and had high hopes for his athleticism and speed.
Tampa Bay appears to be using a more targeted approach to Dennis in his second season. Against Detroit, Dennis got extensive playing time as a pass-defense specialist. It was a nice change for Buccaneers fans, but he was able to consistently drop into his own zone and play assignment-sweep football as an out-of-position freelancer without putting too much strain on his teammates.
In 32 coverage attempts, Dennis allowed just 17 yards and posted the same negative coverage EPA as Smith. Dennis also made one of the biggest plays of the game, sniffing out a perimeter screen in the red zone to deny the Lions a late touchdown lead.
61 seconds left in the game, up by four on the road. Cervosia Dennis has snapped and triggered the ball about 160 times in his career before it was even released. A big play from a young player in a big moment. pic.twitter.com/CFU0FrrkQH
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) September 16, 2024
The Buccaneers Second youngest team The NFL relies too heavily on young stars to make the plays, and through two weeks this season, they are proving they are up to the challenge.
