Carlton Davis isn’t the only player in the defensive backfield the Bucs will need to make a tough decision about this offseason. Safety Jordan Whitehead also finds himself a free agent after completing his rookie contract. The market for the four-year safety will be interesting. Hard-hitting safeties of Whitehead’s ilk aren’t common place in the NFL anymore. He sets the tone for the Bucs defense and is a player general manager Jason Licht would love to have back.

“Jordan has become a very good player for us,” Licht said Monday at the NFL Combine. “Just his presence on defense when we didn’t have him due to injury. You could see that we were missing a little bit of juice from him. He provided that. He’s been a good player for us. He’s been a great pick for us. I’m proud of our staff for where we drafted him and what he’s become. Ideally, he’s another player – and I’ll keep saying it – ideally, we’d love to have him back. But, we’ll have to see how it goes with all these players.”

Bucs S Jordan Whitehead – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

In Whitehead’s four years with the Bucs he’s grown his game tremendously. An amazing run defender, he’s become less of a liability in the passing game as well. With two interceptions each of the last two years, he’s certainly no ballhawk. But Whitehead can make plays on the back end. He’s also missed just six games in his career.

Pro Football Focus has Whitehead’s projected contract at three years, $18 million ($6M per year, $11.5 million guaranteed). He could have other suitors, but if the Bucs can re-sign him to a deal in that vicinity, it would allow them to retain a pivotal part of their defense. That’s especially critical in a year when there could be so much turnover at other positions.