BUCCANEERBLITZ | 23 DAYS TO TRAINING CAMP
#23 — Tykee Smith | Safety
23 days, Bucs Nation — and today’s spotlight is on a player who isn’t just good, he’s becoming one of the most dominant safeties in the entire NFL. Meet Tykee Smith, #23!
After filling a nickel role as a rookie, Smith stepped into a full-time, every-down starting safety role opposite Antoine Winfield Jr. in 2025 — and he absolutely delivered.  He finished the 2025 regular season with 100 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 13 passes defensed, one interception, and two fumble recoveries across 16 games. He was the only player in the entire NFL in 2025 with 100-plus tackles, 10-plus passes defensed, AND three-plus takeaways.  Numbers like that don’t lie.
Todd Bowles himself has called Smith “very strong, very underrated, a tough competitor, and one of our most instinctive players.”  High praise from one of the most respected defensive minds in football. Bowles even dubbed him the team’s “tone-setter” heading into 2026. Now entering 2026 with his starting role entrenched, Smith is zeroing in on refining his angles and leverage in the open field  — scary thought for opposing offenses considering how good he already is.
Alongside Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith gives the Buccaneers arguably the most feared safety tandem in the NFC. Training camp in 23 days is where the next chapter begins — and #23 is ready to write it.
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If Winfield Jr levels up with T. smith those two are hard to beat. Looking forward to seeing rookie Scott playing some safety while he dabbles at NCB to be the rover reserve if need be. Right now based off experience it looks like in nickel packages that Parrish/McCollum are the main guys but Scott may be in the mix and maybe Roberts too. Wisdom and Banks are trusted reserves on the roster by Atkins and Johnson. And Roberts when fully healthy should take Izien's role on the roster. IF only the Bucs added a veteran CB this secondary would be complete...