The Bucs drafted Tykee Smith out of Georgia primarily to present Christian Izien competitors at nickelback within the slot. Izien performed effectively above his undrafted free agent standing final 12 months, however after going the final 17 weeks of the Bucs season with out an interception, together with the playoffs, the crew is on the lookout for an improve on the nickel nook place.
Smith, with over 1,300 of his 2,070 snaps in faculty coming within the slot, has loads of expertise and a greater observe document of faculty tape and manufacturing that may translate into him being named the week one starter on the nickelback spot. He brings an thrilling ability set and mindset that might elevate the place for the Bucs in 2024. All measurements taken from MockDraftable.com or RAS (Relative Athletic Rating).
Smith’s measurements are evaluated as a security, which is what he was introduced as throughout the draft.
Top: 5-foot-10 (sixth percentile)
Weight: 202 kilos (thirtieth percentile)
Hand: 9.25″ (forty fourth percentile)
Arm Size: 31.625″ (51st percentile)
Wing Span: 74.75″ (twenty ninth percentile)
40-yard sprint: 4.46 seconds (84th percentile)
10-yard cut up: 1.58 seconds (forty fifth percentile)
Vertical Bounce: 36″ (56th percentile)
RAS: 7.43 (as a free security)
Faculty Manufacturing
Georgia Ss Tykee Smith and Javon Bullard – Photograph by: USA At the moment
Tykee Smith spent his first two years at West Virginia the place he performed 22 video games as a freshman and sophomore the place he recorded 111 tackles 10.5 tackles for loss, one sack, 4 interceptions, one compelled fumble, 9 passes defensed and one landing. After transferring to Georgia in 2021 he performed in only one recreation as a real junior earlier than being misplaced for the remainder of the season to a torn ACL.
Smith noticed the Bulldogs received a nationwide title that season and was on the sphere as a starter the following 12 months to assist Georgia win back-to-back nationwide championships. Final 12 months, the Bulldogs solely misplaced one recreation, 27-24, to Alabama within the SEC Championship Sport.
Mixed together with his 2022 and 2023 seasons Smith completed his tenure with Georgia with 98 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, one compelled fumble, three passes defensed and 4 interceptions. Smith’s finest season was his platform marketing campaign in 2023 when he recorded 70 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a team-high 4 interceptions.
Positives
Instinctive in protection with the flexibility to shortly course of route combos. Particularly exhibits up when matched up in opposition to journeys on 3×1 units.
pic.twitter.com/wJKg32PUBG
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) Might 4, 2024
Bodily by early levels of routes. Forces receivers to run by him after they stem.
pic.twitter.com/aQ82IXit8k
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) Might 4, 2024
Units edges in run recreation effectively. Takes on offensive linemen bodily. Robust at level of assault.
Tykee Smith (#23) fears no offensive sort out. pic.twitter.com/TLzu06LFKD
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) April 27, 2024
Good really feel for blitzing and continuously makes performs within the backfield.
Blitzing from the slot and simply basic skill to search out his approach into and thru the backfield is one among Tykee Smith’s (#23) finest traits. pic.twitter.com/5bcdywQq84
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) Might 4, 2024
Negatives
Lacks elite prime finish velocity. Play velocity doesn’t match athletic testing.
Restricted expertise as a deep security enjoying single or two-high.
Can get flipped to improper aspect of early adjustments in path by receivers.
Bodily on the contact level, cool swing transfer to maintain with the route break, fast restoration, full-out for the PBU. pic.twitter.com/KuEkb67lYO
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) Might 1, 2024
Whereas I describe the spin transfer within the clip above as “cool” within the tweet it actually was Smith having to make up for getting turned within the improper path preliminary.
Total Outlook For Tykee Smith With The Bucs
Bucs DB Tykee Smith – Photograph courtesy of Georgia
Tykee Smith’s faculty tape is best than Christian Izien’s, which is why he was a third-round choose whereas Izien didn’t get drafted out of Rutgers in 2023. He ought to have an excellent shot at profitable the beginning nickel position. Smith’s mixture of physicality and instincts needs to be an improve on slot blitzes over Izien’s inconsistent efficiency there final 12 months.
The Bucs love the truth that he involves Tampa Bay anticipating to win after Georgia compiled a tremendous 42-2 document throughout Smith’s three years with the Bulldogs program. And the truth that Smith performed a ton of nickel cornerback in Kirby Sensible’s protection, which has some similarities to Todd Bowles’ scheme – maybe making Smith a plug-and-play DB in Tampa Bay.
In 2022 when Antoine Winfield Jr. primarily performed nickelback he was in a position to create 9 pressures and 4 sacks on simply 38 cross rushes primarily from the slot. In 2024, Izien additionally created 9 pressures, however no sacks on virtually twice as many cross rushes. Smith solely had 32 cross rushes final 12 months at Georgia, but in addition had 9 pressures and two sacks. He actually brings a Winfield-like enjoying type to the slot.
Blitzing from the slot and simply basic skill to search out his approach into and thru the backfield is one among Tykee Smith’s (#23) finest traits. pic.twitter.com/5bcdywQq84
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) Might 4, 2024
Smith additionally brings actual ball abilities to a Bucs protection that has struggled to constantly create interceptions over the previous two seasons.
Smith has legit ball abilities to each break up passes and create interceptions. pic.twitter.com/PhNEhrM8mq
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) Might 4, 2024
