After losing safety Jordan Whitehead in free agency, the Bucs brought in Logan Ryan after he was cut by the Giants. Ryan played mostly free safety in New York, but does have some versatility after starting his career at cornerback. However, he’s not an exact replacement for Whitehead’s role at the safety position. Speaking on the Ronnie and TKras show on WDAE, new Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said he wasn’t brought in to replace Whitehead.

“Just off the tape, he does show the versatility of being a nickel and a safety,” Bowles said. “I think him and Jordan are completely different players. I don’t compare the two. Ryan brings a lot of intelligence to us and a lot of experience to us. I would like to see him in practice and move around and see how exactly I could use him and would use him. But I know he’s not the same type of player as Jordan. He’s not even brought in to replace Jordan, sort of speak. So he still has to come in and move around and let me see where he can fit in and work those kinks out. And I think we’ll work them out as we get into the spring and the summer. But I know he’s a sharp player and a very sharp guy.”

Currently the Bucs do not have a true strong safety on the roster. With Bowles stating Ryan was not brought in to replace Whitehead, there are still some questions at that position. The team could look to utilize Antoine Winfield Jr. in that role. But, as an ascending free safety in the league, it might be unwise to weaken yourself at that position to fill another hole. While Ryan could figure into that mix, it is not his strong suit. Additionally, with his versatility he could push cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting for playing time in the slot.

Georgia S Lewis Cine – Photo by: USA Today

For the Bucs it’s seemingly becoming more likely they look to the draft to fill their hole at strong safety. That’s a position GM Jason Licht has drafted brilliantly. Luckily, there are some solid prospects at the position this year that could be available in the first few rounds.

Georgia’s Lewis Cine is a popular pick in the first round, and was featured in our latest mock. Other options, if the Bucs trade back into the second round, could be Penn State’s Jaquan Brisker or Baylor’s Jalen Pitre. In later rounds the Bucs could target Iowa’s Dane Belton, Auburn’s Smoke Monday, FAMU’s Markquese Bell and USC’s Isaiah Pola-Mao.

Bowles also didn’t rule out a reunion with safety and future son-in-law Tyrann Mathieu. Arians drafted the versatile safety when he was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, where Bowles served as defensive coordinator.

“Everybody’s under consideration,” Bowles said. “He’s a heck of a player and he’s been a heck of player. We actually drafted him in Arizona, so his track record speaks for itself. If the situation is right, everybody’s a viable player in this game.”

You can listen to the whole interview with Bowles here.