After upgrading their cross rush to begin Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bucs caught with the defensive facet of the ball once they had been again on the clock within the third spherical. With the primary of their two third-round picks, they chose security Tykee Smith out of Georgia.
Georgia S Tykee Smith – Picture by: USA At the moment
Smith started his collegiate profession at West Virginia, totaling 114 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, a sack, 13 passes defensed and 4 interceptions in 22 video games (17 begins) between 2019 and 2020.
He then transferred to Georgia in 2021, although accidents value him an opportunity to contribute to the Bulldogs’ nationwide championship season. Nevertheless, he bounced again in 2022 as he got here up with 28 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a compelled fumble as Georgia repeated as nationwide champions.
His greatest yr for the Bulldogs got here in 2023, when he posted 70 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, six passes defensed and 4 interceptions. He was a Second Group All-SEC choice as he wrapped up his profession in an enormous manner.
What Sort Of Participant Is New Bucs Security Tykee Smith?
Georgia S Tykee Smith – Picture by: USA At the moment
Tykee Smith is a bodily imposing, hard-hitting robust security kind who’s best close to and behind the road of scrimmage. He had 8.5 tackles for loss in 2023, exhibiting he has a penchant for entering into the backfield on blitzes.
In protection, he holds up effectively in opposition to tight ends and energy slots and reveals a nostril for the ball in phrases creating turnovers. He led the Bulldogs with 4 interceptions final yr.
Smith doesn’t sacrifice his technical type as a tackler simply to ship an enormous hit. He’s simply very bodily as he drives by way of ball-carriers. He’s not one of the best or most fluid athlete, however he has 4.46 velocity and positively is practical and linear in that space.
How Does Tykee Smith Match With The Bucs Secondary?
The Bucs have their beginning safeties in Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead, however Tykee Smith offers instant depth at robust security as a rookie.
Not solely that, however he can compete for the beginning nickel cornerback job from day one. He’ll look to beat out 2023 undrafted free agent Christian Izien and free agent signing Tavierre Thomas for a task within the nickel packages that Bucs head coach Todd Bowles likes to run. Final season, Smith performed 434 snaps out of the slot versus 87 snaps within the field and 18 snaps as a deep security.
Georgia Ss Tykee Smith and Javon Bullard – Picture by: USA At the moment
Whereas the Bucs did deliver Whitehead again into the combination this offseason, Smith is in the identical mould as the proper complement to Winfield, who was an All-Professional in 2023. Lengthy-term, he’s at his greatest when taking part in a field security/nickel position. That lets Winfield play up high as a centerfielder.
Whether or not he rotates in at security, performs the majority of his snaps at nickel or does a little bit of all the pieces for the Tampa Bay protection, Smith will discover a method to make an influence. He additionally has the dimensions and physicality to be a great particular groups participant, particularly as a rookie when he in any other case might have a while to carve out a task on protection. He performed all 4 particular groups coverages (with 420 particular groups snaps) during the last two seasons.
Smith has the appropriate temperament to deal with any position, as Georgia head coach Kirby Sensible describes him as “unselfish” and mentioned he’s the kind of participant who will do something he’s requested. Which means he’s the appropriate kind of participant and particular person Tampa Bay is wanting so as to add to its locker room.
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound security really is a Todd Bowles-type security, and Bowles is loads conversant in the Georgia program provided that his son, Troy, performs for the Bulldogs. Smith met formally with the Bucs on the NFL Scouting Mix in Indianapolis, plus he got here in for a top-30 go to throughout the pre-draft course of.
The workforce made its curiosity within the spectacular defensive again very clear. He was a Pewter Report Bucs Finest Guess for a motive, and now it’s official. He’ll be taking part in underneath Bowles in pink, white and pewter as he transitions into the NFL.
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