Every year teams hope that some of their young players find a way to hit their stride and emerge as some of the top players in the league. The Bucs are no different in that area and have seen exceptional moments like Bucky Irving taking the reigns at running back and become a 1,000-yard rusher as a rookie, or Graham Barton lead the charge as the team’s starting center during his rookie season.

There’s another player from that same 2024 draft class that is in a very interesting spot going into the 2025 season. Tampa Bay safety Tykee Smith had an above average rookie year in his own right last season. The Bucs put him in the slot as a nickelback and he wound up tying for the team lead with two interceptions and led the defense with three forced fumbles. The only knock against Smith, who was drafted in the third round, was that he missed four games.

Bucs Safety Tykee Smith Is A Potential Breakout Star

Heading into the 2025 season, Tykee Smith is going to be placed in his natural position at safety, lining up next to Antoine Winfield Jr. and replacing Jordan Whitehead. Or he’ll at least get some reps there, as Tampa Bay has a committee of players at nickel cornerback – of which Smith is in the mix as well.

Bucs S Tykee Smith – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

More reps could lead to bigger and better performances from the former Georgia Bulldog, and that’s why many have high expectations for him. In an article by David Helman of Fox Sports where a player from each NFC team was listed as a breakout candidate, Smith was the choice for Tampa Bay.

This is what Helman said about Smith:

“There are few things in football that I love more than a versatile DB, and that’s what the Bucs appear to have in Smith. He showed a ton of promise as a nickel defender during his rookie season, and it sounds like the Tampa Bay coaching staff will be moving him to safety for Year 2. Smith played free safety in college, so he’s got the experience. Playing next to Antoine Winfield Jr. should help, too. Taking a jump at a new position could go a long way toward improving the Bucs’ pass defense in 2025.”

Everything said hits every exact point of why there’s so much optimism about Tykee Smith in his second season. Tampa Bay tried to improve everywhere on defense,  and while the additions they’ve made at outside linebacker and corner were the main headlines, Smith’s move within the defense also factors into it.

Tykee Smith Comments On His New Role With Bucs

“It’s been going really well,” Tykee Smith said recently about his move to safety in Todd Bowles defense. “I’m still rotating in at nickel, so I’ve been doing both. [I’m] just trying to help the team the best way possible but it’s been going [really] smooth.”

He also talked about what he’s working on to get better at before the season gets going.

Bucs S Tykee Smith – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“This offseason, I spent time looking back at game film and [all] that,” Smith said. “I think I played [well]. Half way through the season, [I] had some bad games, so this year, just looking to build off that and then be consistent. [I’m trying] to finish this year healthy. That’ll be the biggest thing.”

This whole offseason there’s been an emphasis on taking the ball away on defense, which only had seven interceptions a year ago, including just six from the secondary. There has been a point of emphasis on being more aggressive in coverage and taking calculated risks to cause big plays and create momentum in games. Tampa Bay definitely has the personnel to produce more interceptions – perhaps with Smith leading the charge again in 2025.

“Just taking more risks,” Smith said. “Being in position to make plays and then when we get the opportunities to make the plays, capitalize on them – that’s the biggest thing.”

Check out every player that was listed as a breakout player in the NFC by clicking this link.