In football, a slant route is built on timing and precision. The receiver does not waste motion – he breaks sharply across the field into open space before the defense can react. It is simple in design, but separation is created through execution.

That same approach defines my weekly Saturday Bucs column, Slivon’s Slant.

Each week from now until training camp, I will take a look inside a different Bucs position group. The goal is to cut through the surface to find the clearest path in evaluating this roster as it takes shape. Then, once the season begins, the column will continue offering different angles for breaking down and discussing the team. So far, I have offered in-depth profiles of the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, defensive line, outside linebacker, inside linebacker, and cornerback positions.

With those positions covered, it is time to examine the safety room.

Inside The Bucs Safety Room

Ball-Hawking Backbone: Antoine Winfield Jr.

Joining the Bucs in the same draft class as Tristan Wirfs in 2020, Antoine Winfield Jr. has developed seniority to become the defense’s leader and franchise player. The torch appeared to pass to him in 2023, when Winfield had an extraordinary All-Pro season as he suddenly looked like the NFL’s best safety. Since then, he has remained a quality starter, but he has not consistently reached the same level that earned him a four-year, $84.1 million contract.

Entering 2026, Tampa Bay needs more of the game-changing version of Winfield that took over games during his All-Pro campaign.

Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

All eyes will be on him when training camp opens later this month, as he is one player I recently identified as needing to “ball out.” Given his production and tenure in the secondary, he is the unquestioned leader and backbone of the entire group. With longtime captain Lavonte David retiring, Winfield’s voice will be heard louder and clearer. With that comes the expectation of the soon-to-be 28-year-old to be close to elite.

It would be unfair to expect the same stat line of 2023, when he had 122 tackles, six forced fumbles, six sacks, and three interceptions. What should be on Todd Bowles’ mind is allowing “Tweeze” to play with more freedom given all the athletic and promising pieces around him. In turn, that opens the door for more playmaking and a chance to make the game-changing plays he has proven more than capable of.

For the Bucs’ defense to return to its previous heights of about five seasons ago, Winfield is a key X-Factor to make that happen in 2026.

Secondary Stabilizer: Tykee Smith

With two seasons under his belt playing in two different positions within the Bucs’ secondary, Tykee Smith has been given the proper crash course. Now, it is Smith’s time to ascend. As a third-round pick in 2024, he stepped into the nickelback role and handled it well, with 54 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions. Given his performance, one of the easiest moves the following offseason was letting Jordan Whitehead walk and moving Smith into a safety role to make him a full-time player. He responded with a more complete sophomore season, recording 100 tackles, two sacks, an interception while also leading the team with 13 passes defensed.

Bucs SS Tykee Smith – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

For as much as Antoine Winfield elevated his play during his age-25 season, it is Smith’s turn to do the same and solidify himself as a defensive cornerstone to build around for years to come. From a mentality standpoint, he plays the game with an edge and physicality, traits the unit aims to embody as a whole this season. Those are key reasons that have not only given him a chance to become a team captain, but that give him a chance to elevate his game to another level.

Should he continue to build on his early-career success, the safety room will be the brightest spot of the entire defense. Winfield and Smith are already an above-average duo, but they have a chance to be an elite one.

Promising Prospect: JJ Roberts

In a healthy Bucs’ secondary, JJ Roberts will not be a starter in the Bucs’ secondary this season. What Roberts can be — in the wake of Christian Izien leaving to sign with the Lions in the offseason — is a “super sub” with the versatility to wear multiple hats. Although he is the third safety on the depth chart, he also projects to be one of the top nickelback options after Keionte Scott. It is likely that he will see the field at some point, whether for occasional snaps or as a spot starter when injuries ultimately arise. Whenever he does see the field, the team is high on his ability to make an impact, and understandably so.

Bucs S J.J. Roberts – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Roberts was signed as an undrafted free agent last year and looked to be a lock to make the 53-man roster after impressing throughout the offseason. After suffering a torn ACL in August, the injury wiped out any chance of him logging regular-season snaps. He detailed that his knee is now “in a very strong place.”

He has the talent to serve as a hybrid depth piece, having displayed his abilities during his final two seasons at Marshall. In 2024, Roberts had 94 tackles and was tied for the most passes defensed in all of college football with 14. How he looks this summer could put him in a position where Todd Bowles gets creative to fit him into the secondary puzzle.

Special Teams Standout: Miles Killebrew

Compared to any other player mentioned in Slivon’s Slant so far, Miles Killebrew was not brought in to elevate his position room but to help reinvigorate an entire unit. Killebrew was Danny Smith’s right-hand man with the Steelers as a special teams tone-setter. It made too much sense for the veteran to join the Bucs as soon as Smith was hired to turn around the entire operation. There is plenty of optimism for what both additions bring, as Smith is a veteran coach with an impressive background and Killebrew is his hand-picked leader with two Pro Bowls on his resume.

Bucs S/ST ace Miles Killebrew – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Katie Stratman

At 33 years old, Killebrew checks all the boxes to take over Tampa Bay’s special teams. He leads all active players with four blocked punts, and since entering the NFL as a fourth-round pick in 2016, Killebrew has 86 tackles on special teams, which is the fifth-most in that span. For the struggles the team had in return coverage, adding a veteran with almost 3,000 snaps on the unit will help get everyone up to speed. There are plenty of factors that will make the Bucs more successful in 2026, but winning the quiet field position battle will be critical.

Roster Roulette: Rashad Wisdom, Marcus Banks, and Ja’Qurious Conley

Rashad Wisdom and Marcus Banks find themselves battling for similar roles to make the team as a fifth safety. Both have primarily contributed on special teams, with each appearing in three games last season. Unless injuries strike, both project as practice squad candidates entering camp. Each have flashed enough to stick in Tampa Bay and are quality standby options.

Conley is the fresh face at safety, and he looks every bit the part at 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds. He used his size and physicality to have a productive collegiate season in 2025, recording 64 tackles and three interceptions for Charlotte. Receiving a $180,000 guarantee as an undrafted free agent makes it likely he finds a way to make the practice squad, perhaps over Wisdom and/or Banks.

Closing Slant

No other defensive position group will be as starter reliant as the Bucs safety room in 2026. While other rooms rely on more depth and have more uncertainty, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith have the backend of the secondary locked up. My slant on the room is that it is the strongest one on defense, and one of the strongest on the entire team. Based on what Winfield has accomplished, and the potential Smith has yet to fully tap into, it would not be surprising if Tampa Bay boasts one of the best safety duos in the league.

That projection hinges on both taking another step as playmakers. If they play to their potential, they can erase mistakes behind an inexperienced cornerback room while creating the splash plays this defense lacked a season ago. No one wants to see the depth tested, but JJ Roberts has promise and could hold down a safety spot for a brief time. Miles Killebrew is technically the fourth safety but will take on much more responsibility as a special teams ace. After that, it is a roster roulette of sorts should a fifth safety prove worthy for a 53-man roster spot.

Should Antoine Winfield Jr. return closer to All-Pro form and Tykee Smith takes another step forward, the Bucs will not just have one of the NFL’s better safety duos — they will have the foundation the rest of Todd Bowles’ defense is built upon.