Versatile rookie DB Tykee Smith is a perfect fit for Todd Bowles, Bucs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles has developed a reputation for valuing versatility, and the proof is all over his current roster.

You’ll find it particularly on the back end of the secondary, where Bowles loves to have interchangeably safeties who can cover downfield, in the slot, support the run, and get after the quarterback with blitzes.

Antoine Winfield Jr. is the perfect fit there, which he proved last year with an All-Pro campaign, but Bowles and the Bucs might have another one with rookie Tykee Smith.

A third-round pick out of Georgia in the 2024 NFL draft, Smith showed off a similar skill set to Winfield for the Bulldogs, and backed it up in the box score:

If Smith can have anywhere near the same impact that Winfield has during his time in Tampa Bay so far, he could go down as another huge steal for general manager Jason Licht.