Bucs safety Mike Edwards is tied with cornerback Carlton Davis III for the most interceptions on the team over the last two years with five. The big difference between the two Tampa Bay defensive backs? Davis has been a starter and Edwards has mostly been a backup with limited playing time.

Until now.

Edwards, who is entering his fourth season in Tampa Bay and a contract year, will begin the 2022 campaign as a starter for the first time. Edwards replaces Jordan Whitehead in the lineup next to Pro Bowl safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

The reason Edwards is starting rather than veteran newcomers Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal? His ball-hawking ability. The Bucs want more interceptions this year after recording 15 and 17 the past two seasons. Edwards led the Bucs with three picks as a part-time player last season. He’s the odds-on favorite to lead the team once again, especially with more playing time.

“I feel like I am a great ball hawk, I track the ball pretty well, but I feel like I can get better at that. Just tracking the ball and reading the quarterback’s eyes, things like that,” Edwards said. “So getting my hands on the ball more, getting more interceptions, turnovers – I feel like our whole defensive back group is more harping on creating turnovers, getting turnovers. I feel like we had a good amount last year, but not enough. Definitely can turn those into at least 10-plus more.”

Bucs’ Ball Hawk Doesn’t Drop INTs

Edwards had two pick-sixes in a home win against Atlanta last year that earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 2. What makes Edwards special is that he doesn’t drop interceptions. That’s something some of his teammates, including Davis and cornerback Jamel Dean, have struggled with.

Bucs S Mike Edwards – Photo by: USA Today

“I actually told myself my rookie year playing against the Giants – I still remember to this day. We were in 2-Man and CD (Carlton Davis) was on the receiver and I drove on the dig and I could have had a pick-six – and I dropped it,” Edwards said. “I told myself I would never drop a pick in my NFL career anymore. I mean, it’s hard to say because it’s hard as a defensive back coming to the ball. But I try to make those plays. A pick – an interception – is big, for you, for the team, so I always try to. If I get my hands on the ball, come down with it.”

Has he dropped an interception since his rookie year in 2019?

“I haven’t,” Edwards said with a big grin.

Bucs Secondary Ready For More Passes From Prescott

Edwards should have plenty of opportunities to start the 2022 season with the interception lead. In last year’s 31-29 season-opening win against Dallas, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott threw the ball 58 times. Prescott was 42-of-58 for 403 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.

With the Bucs fielding one of the more stout run defenses in the league, it’s a safe bet that the Cowboys will lean on Prescott and the passing game once again to move the ball.

“We kind of tried to stop them throwing over our heads,” Edwards said. “You know, they got some good playmakers, a lot of receivers on that side of the ball. They lost a few, but they still got some good playmakers on that side of the ball. So they just kind of dinked and dunked from us, taking what they could get and they did a good job of that. It was a tough game the whole four quarters. But I feel like we definitely improved and learned from that game so we’ll see what happens.”

Edwards Has Become A Better Tackler

Edwards has had to bide his time as a backup over the years with a few starts sprinkled in. He owns the fact that he was beaten out for the starting job over the last two years, but has made strides, growing as a player regardless.

“I started out my rookie year and then [Winfield] came in and he beat me out,” Edwards said. “He and [Whitehead]. They had the starting roles and I came in a little bit on third down, but those two guys were phenomenal players. So it’s like, it’s hard to be mad at that situation. I was behind two great players, but I tried to execute [when on the field].”

Bucs S Mike Edwards – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles was really pleased with Edwards’ training camp. Edwards successfully fended off a challenge from Neal for the starting strong safety role.

“Mike has been great. He came in camp, looks good, he’s moving around, he’s a lot more vocal than he has been,” Bowles said. “Anytime you’re in a scheme a while, you should be. He’s been great.”

Edwards is excited to see more playing time and start this year. And he’s earned it due to his improved tackling. That’s been the big issue keeping him from being a starter – until now.

“It’s tough because you don’t get to tackle during practice, you probably get like one live practice or whatever,” Edwards said. “It’s tough [to improve], that’s why I appreciate the game. Glad I got to play in a few series in the preseason. It definitely helps out for the regular season. Definitely need to improve on tackling, improve on a lot of things. I feel like I have improved from the first time I got here my rookie year to now. I feel like I am a completely different player, in a good way. I can definitely improve on a lot of things, and you’ll see it this year.”