When the Bucs signed Logan Ryan last week, it seemed a long-standing defensive void had been filled. Since defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ arrival in Tampa Bay, the Bucs have failed to field a quality slot defender on a week-to-week basis. Sean Murphy-Bunting, Ross Cockrell, Mike Edwards and ex-Buc M.J. Stewart have attempted to man the slot over the past three seasons. More often than not, the results have been disappointing.

Enter Ryan, who has made a career out of excelling in the slot. But he didn’t always play there. Ryan began his career as an outside cornerback in New England, slowly moving inside for more snaps every season. The nine-year pro is one of the few defensive backs in the NFL to spend multiple years as a starting outside cornerback, slot cornerback and as a free safety.

“He [has] some versatility, that’s for sure,” Bucs GM Jason Licht said. “We see him as a safety. He has played slot in the past. It’s always good to have guys that can move around back there. We talked to Logan two years ago in free agency. We were in talks with his agents, and for whatever reason it didn’t work out that year. So we’ve had plenty of discussions over the last couple of years about Logan. It really wasn’t needed (this year). We know what kind of guy he is and what kind of player he is, and we’re excited to have him.”

It’s not totally clear from Licht’s answer how the Bucs plan to use Ryan. But saying that they “see him as a safety” is telling. And it doesn’t tell a good story. Although Ryan has spent the past two years at free safety in New York, the transition hasn’t gone well. With the Giants, Ryan has posted two of his worst coverage seasons while playing deep. Tape-watchers and PFF agree, with one film guru telling me Ryan “has to play nickel” moving forward.

New Bucs S Logan Ryan – Photo by: USA Today

According to PFF, Ryan is only versatile to a certain point. When asked to play in the post as a deep safety for the Giants, Ryan disappointed. Some of that was likely the failures of the group around him. But the Giants haven’t had a complete train wreck secondary. Ryan has simply been playing out of position. He doesn’t have the range or instincts to play free safety full-time in the NFL.

But it’s a position change Ryan wanted back in 2020. In the comment above, Licht mentioned that the Bucs were unable to sign him during that year’s free agency. The reason is because Ryan was trying to cash out one more time before hitting his 30s. In order to do so, the longtime slot cornerback felt compelled to move to free safety, where the pay was greater. The $31 million contract Ryan signed in 2020 proves he was probably right. But his play on the field simply wasn’t up to his standards in the slot.

According to PFF, here is how Ryan has graded in the slot vs his grading at free safety. You can also note his success in zone as a slot vs his success in man as a slot over the past three seasons. It should be understood that Ryan’s sample size in zone is a lot greater during this time, given his two full years at safety.

I’ve watched enough of Ryan’s tape to know that his versatility is a strength. But it does not come without limitations. Ryan is not a full-time free safety, and he’s never been a full-time strong safety. He is 31 years old. While Ryan is a great run defender and tackler, asking him to fill Jordan Whitehead’s box safety role seems ambitious. At the same time, moving Antoine Winfield to strong safety and having Ryan play in the post doesn’t seem wise either.

Right now, the Bucs have one safety who can move all over the defense and remain effective: Winfield. Mike Edwards is more of a free safety, with the ability to step into the slot for certain matchups. And Ryan is the opposite of Edwards, a slot corner who can play deep in a pinch. Perhaps behind one of Bowles’ famous blitzes. But if the Bucs try to ask him to play safety full-time, the results might not be pretty.

The numbers and the tape both tell the same story. Ryan is at his best playing predominantly in the slot of a zone heavy scheme. It just so happens, the Bucs run a zone-heavy scheme and they need a slot cornerback! What are the odds? However, it seems Tampa Bay could consider Ryan the team’s new strong safety, which would be curious to say the least. It would also keep Murphy-Bunting in the slot, where he has struggled during his career.

Licht made a strong signing in getting Ryan for cheap. But if he isn’t utilized in his best position, the results on the field may not best represent the veteran defender’s skill set.