The Bucs’ defense is seeking to get more production out of their secondary this season.

Although safety Antoine Winfield Jr. had a career, All-Pro season, the rest of the group will be looking to create more takeaways and play up to their ceilings. That is a key strategy for cornerback Jamel Dean, and the rest of the defensive backs will be looking to follow suit.

So, with Pro Football Focus ranking each of the cornerback and safety positions going into this season, how high did Winfield and Dean place on the list? Let’s dive deeper.

Surprise! Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr. Ranked No. 1 Safety In The NFL

After becoming the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history this offseason after inking a four-year, $84 million contract, it comes as little surprise that Antoine Winfield Jr. ranks first among all safeties in the league. Bucs fans saw Winfield shine each game last season, and PFF graded him highly for his work while being bullish on him heading into this season.

Winfield, who became the NFL’s highest-paid defensive back this offseason, was the highest-graded safety in the league last season (90.7).

The 25-year-old’s 92.0 PFF overall grade over the past three seasons leads the position, and his run-defense and pass-rush grades rank first among safeties, too.

Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. and GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Scott Reynolds/Pewter Report

Simply put, Winfield is the complete package for the position. One glance at his numbers last year confirms all you need to know about his do-it-all skillset.

Whether that was his 122 total tackles, 12 pass breakups, six sacks, an NFL-high six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, or three interceptions, he was always there to make a play and save the day on defense. His contributions were a big reason why the Bucs were able to win the NFC South and go on a playoff run.

Although he recently got paid quite handsomely, he has not lost the fire to be even better in 2024.

“I’m the type of person [that] I’m never satisfied,” Winfield said at his press conference last month after his new deal was announced. “My goal every season is to [be] better than I was the previous season. Like Coach [Nick] Rapone always says, ‘To much is given, much is expected.’ I know that coming in. I’m going to be better than I was before. I’m going to train harder than I was before.”

Bucs CB Jamel Dean Places No. 18 Among NFL CBs

While Antoine Winfield Jr. paces the safety position, cornerback Jamel Dean is looking to make more scenes on the field this season.

Eagles WR DeVonta Smith and Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: USA Today

Dean played through his share of ups and downs after signing his own four-year deal before last season. He struggled to stay healthy, missing four games, and he failed to record an interception while finishing with a career-low four pass deflections.

It was not his best year, but the ability for him to blossom into an established No. 1 cornerback is there. Pro Football Focus is banking on that, ranking him at No. 18 in their position rankings.

Dean is as consistent as they come, as he has earned a 70.0-plus coverage grade in all five of his seasons as a pro. He recorded a career-high 18 stops in 2023 and has missed a grand total of 15 tackles in his five-year career. 

Dean has earned a reputation as a solid coverage corner, but to take the next step on the field is turning his talents into tangible results. Whether that is being more of a pass game menace batting down passes or coming away with a few of them, justifying his deal and locking down his future in Tampa Bay will mean regularly locking down the top receivers of opposing teams and setting the tone in what is now a revamped secondary.