Pewter Report analyzes the highest gamers within the 2025 NFL Draft with its place previews. Scott Reynolds continues the previews with the protection place, providing a complete have a look at what the Bucs have and what they want at security.
Josh Queipo then analyzes an in depth listing of this yr’s prime security prospects whereas Reynolds offers the annual Pewter Report Bucs Greatest Bets – the most certainly security for the Bucs to pick out in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.
What The Bucs Have At Security
Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. and DB Tykee Smith – Picture by: USA At this time
The Bucs are hoping Antoine Winfield Jr. can bounce again in 2025 and grow to be the playmaker he was for the primary 4 seasons in Tampa Bay earlier than he missed time because of foot and knee accidents final yr. The workforce made him the highest-paid defensive again in soccer with a profitable contract extension, and Winfield shall be pushed to show that final yr was an injury-riddled fluke and that he’s nonetheless one of many league’s finest safeties.
Tampa Bay had excessive hopes for Jordan Whitehead final yr in his return to the workforce, however he had a disastrous season as a substitute. Harm and ineffectiveness plagued his 2024 season after which he sadly completed the yr on injured reserve because of a automotive accident by which he suffered a damaged neck. The Bucs had no selection however to not choose up his choice yr and launched him this offseason.
The Bucs plan on shifting Tykee Smith from nickelback to sturdy security to switch Whitehead. Smith was tied for the workforce lead with two interceptions and three pressured fumbles regardless of solely taking part in 75% of the snaps on common. By shifting to sturdy security the place he performed some at Georgia, Todd Bowles hopes to get extra large performs from Smith with extra reps on the sphere.
Christian Izien is the Bucs’ tremendous sub within the secondary. A former starter at nickel cornerback, Izien noticed time at each free security and robust security subbing in for each Winfield and Whitehead. He may very well be a starter at nickelback if Smith does transfer to security, however his actual worth is his versatility off the bench.
Kaevon Merriweather was re-signed this yr after displaying some optimistic indicators of progress in 2024. He’s extra of a powerful security sub than he’s a free security. Tampa Bay additionally re-signed follow squad safeties Rashad Knowledge and Marcus Banks. Each stayed on the follow squad all yr, however actually need to take a giant step in coaching camp and the preseason for them to stay with the Bucs in 2025.
What The Bucs Want At Security
Even when Tykee Smith strikes from nickelback to sturdy security to switch Jordan Whitehead, the Bucs may use one other security for depth and competitors. Whitehead and Antoine Winfield Jr. each missed a number of video games final yr because of damage, and issues turned so dire the workforce needed to declare Mike Edwards off waivers and re-sign Ryan Neal late within the season.
The Bucs had a proper interview with Georgia’s Malaki Starks, who is predicted to be a first-round choose, on the NFL Scouting Mix, and in addition had formal interviews with Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts, Virginia’s Jonas Sanker and Penn State’s Jaylen Reed. Marshall’s JJ Roberts was introduced in for an official 30 go to. Tampa Bay will doubtless draft a security, nevertheless it might need to attend till Day 3 if Starks isn’t the choose within the first spherical.
High Safeties In 2025 NFL Draft
*Necessary Observe: These gamers are NOT listed within the order of Pewter Report’s rating for them. Quite, the numbers are offered to indicate you the tough order by which we anticipate them to return off the board in the course of the draft.
1. Georgia S Malaki Starks – Junior – 6-0, 197 – 4.50
Starks continues a current development of Georgia defensive backs who’ve been taken in the course of the first two days of the draft becoming a member of Kamari Lassiter, Javon Bullard and Tykee Smith (2024), Kelee Ringo (2023) and Lewis Cine (2022). Starks is a three-year starter for a vaunted protection, incomes All-American honors in every season. He combines clean motion abilities with sturdy physique management to make unbelievable performs on the ball. This helped him to six interceptions and 23 passes defensed together with his finest season coming in 2023 the place he notched three and 10, respectively.
Within the slot, he can play man protection each inside and outdoors whether or not the rep requires man or zone protection. In man, he sifts by way of visitors from stacks and bunches shortly and barely will get misplaced within the wash. From the field or deep, he has lively eyes that empower him to make fast choices with good burst to pinch and crash routes shortly. However he by no means is available in uncontrolled, so he’s constant in his breakdowns and a safe tackler who hardly ever misses. Due to this, he works properly within the field as a run enforcer who can choose up over the ball routes from in-line tight ends and run the seam properly.
2. South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori – Junior – 6-3, 220 – 4.38
Emmanwori is an especially spectacular athlete who has beforehand been profiled on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks Checklist.” It’s this athletic potential that provides him an extremely excessive ceiling. Emmanwori has the pace and fluid actions to match up with any tight finish or backs in man protection. He has proven spectacular instincts to make performs on the ball.
He’s a very good run defender from each the put up in addition to the field and he is among the finest tacklers on this class, utilizing each sound approach whereas nonetheless offering an enforcer’s pop. For these causes Emmanwori suits properly as a powerful security working downhill and serving to as a move rusher. Tight hips trigger him to get caught on unhealthy angles in pursuit and battle to maintain up with double strikes from shiftier backs. His uncommon traits will make him one of the crucial coveted safeties within the class, however his flooring isn’t as excessive as one would possibly suppose.
3. Penn State S Kevin Winston Jr. – Junior – 6-2, 213 – 4.51
Winston missed all however two video games in 2024, so it’s important to return to 2023 to seek out his unbelievable tape. However while you see it, you discover a participant with fast click on and shut capability to jam up lanes, contest throws on the catchpoint and ship bone-crunching hits whereas nearly by no means lacking a sort out. After being named a workforce captain in 2024, Winston was pressured to discover a completely different method of serving to his workforce to the School Soccer Playoffs because of a left knee damage. However he by no means checked out, performing as a mentor and trainer. Winston was credited as an enormous assist by the remainder of his teammates.
He’s an explosive finisher who will work by way of blocks to get to ball carriers and keys shortly downhill and might throw round his massive body with large hits. Winston is wise and communicates properly on the sphere, even re-positioning referees pre-snap so he can higher see the backfield. Whereas he doesn’t have the ball manufacturing of different safeties on this draft class, with simply six move deflections and one interception in 15 begins, he makes up for it by discouraging throws in his course altogether.
4. Notre Dame S Xavier Watts – Senior – 6-0, 205 – 4.58
Watts is an excessive ballhawk, posting 13 interceptions and 27 move breakups within the final two seasons alone. These performs on the ball are a byproduct of his unbelievable instincts and a fearless mentality to go make a play. He’s assured in taking part in to his keys and barely will get fooled by motion fakes. Groups will actually like each his expertise and management.
Watts is finest working to the ball in zone, however he has tight hips that trigger him to battle in man protection the place he can get thrown off his connection. His hips assist in some tackling issues, together with a penchant for breaking down a bit early in addition to a penchant to over pursue. He’s not positionally versatile. You wouldn’t need him taking part in within the slot fairly often or as a single-high put up participant. However as in a field/break up position he’ll doubtless discover his method right into a beginning position shortly.
Notre Dame S Xavier Watts – Picture by: USA At this time
5. Texas S Andrew Mukuba – Senior – 5-11, 186 – 4.45
With most of the safeties on this class finest match as field/slots or as a flexible chess piece, Mukuba stands out as a real free security. His IQ, instincts and pace all work in live performance to make him a rangy playmaker. He has the geometric understanding to create environment friendly pathways to the ball in each the passing and run recreation, working to cap the sting on exterior zone. Mukuba makes use of balanced eyes to remain on prime of route breaks whereas additionally discovering the ball by maintaining tabs on the quarterback. That manifested in improved ball abilities in 24 with 11 move breakups and 5 interceptions.
His tackling kind is strong, however he can get thrown off by bigger-bodied gamers. His general measurement may be very small for the place and a few groups might wish to attempt him as a slot defender regardless of his put up abilities. However his tape within the slot is just not nice and he has a real want to play as a security. His decided nature and want to be at his finest and succeed make him a high-floor choice with a skillset not many on this draft possess.
6. Ohio State S Lathan Ransom – Senior – 6-0, 203 – 4.59
Ransom is a great backend participant who can present speedy particular groups assist on the subsequent stage. He’s fast to diagnose and help within the run recreation. And whereas he can present good kind as a tackler, he additionally has a penchant to shut too shortly with out breaking down resulting in missed tackles. However his dense body and physicality permit him to match up with tight ends in man protection. Ransom has a excessive work ethic which reveals up in his preparation. He is among the causes he turned a second-team All-American in 2024 for the nationwide champion Ohio State Buckeyes.
He’s fast to leap downhill and help within the run recreation and brings an actual really feel for entering into the backfield to get after the quarterback. However that aggressiveness to play bodily can harm Ransom in protection as he’s extra more likely to put successful on a receiver than go for the ball within the air. He brings extra than simply expertise within the third part of the sport, with two blocked punts on his resume. That mixed with a strong flooring makes him a workman-like choice that may be a dependable starter.
7. Oklahoma S Billy Bowman Jr. – Senior – 5-10, 192 – 4.42
Bowman brings every little thing an NFL workforce desires in a security…besides the requisite size and play energy. That lack of size reveals up again and again in missed tackles and extra yards allowed all through his total profession. His profession missed sort out fee was over 20% in all 4 seasons and rested at 25.1% for his total time at Oklahoma. Exterior of that enormous pink flag, Bowman is an instinctual participant who weaponizes his burst and pace. He can click on and shut on throws and drive by way of the ball on the catch level.
Bowman’s competitiveness and work ethic encourage these round him and led him to profitable Oklahoma’s Don Key Award in 2024. His opportunistic playstyle could cause him to get caught out of place, nevertheless it’s a trade-off that most of the time works to his profit over his detriment. Bowman shall be a taste that just some groups will wish to attempt. However in the correct system he generally is a highlight-reel participant.
8. Virginia S Jonas Sanker – Senior – 6-0, 206 – 4.48
Sanker is a great, heady, communicator who usually helps make up for errors his teammates make. An explosive mover who can drive shortly downfield with authority whereas taking environment friendly angles. He can play an enforcer position within the field properly. Sanker is constantly across the ball, notching 205 tackles prior to now two years.
Sanker checks a ton of containers for what NFL groups search for in a participant to ease the transition to the NFL. He’s a workforce captain who receives rave critiques for his communication abilities and work ethic plus a ton of expertise on particular groups. Sanker can lose sight of his protection assignments when he will get caught peeking within the backfield. And whereas he can functionally drop into the slot, he’s a bit tighter in his actions so it’s not his greatest energy. Sanker will endear himself to a fanbase someplace together with his highlight-reel play and excessive IQ.
Virginia S Jonas Sanker Picture by: USA At this time
9. Penn State S Jaylen Reed – Senior – 6-0, 211 – 4.49
With Winston out for nearly your complete 2024 season, Reed needed to step up because the chief of the Penn State backfield. He was as much as the problem, main the workforce in interceptions with three, whereas including six passes defensed. He’s fearless in every little thing he does, taking part in at max effort on each snap. This works each for and in opposition to him. On the professional facet, Reed is fast to set off and get down the alley as a run defender. On the con facet, he can over-pursue and miss tackles with poor angles.
His 2024 missed sort out fee was nearly 15% and he has a penchant to get flagged. He performs properly in zone, studying out route ideas and reacting accordingly. He can even contest throws on the catchpoint with bodily aggression. Reed performs finest from a two-high or field alignment. When left on the put up he may be late to help on the sidelines. As a field defender his downhill play is weaponized as a move rusher as he registered 12 pressures and a pair of.5 sacks on 41 move rushes final yr.
10. Alabama S Malachi Moore – Senior – 5-11, 197 – 4.57
Moore is a two-time workforce captain with nearly 50 profession begins. He was the primary Alabama defender to start out his true freshmen season-opener since Minkah Fitzpatrick. He brings numerous ball manufacturing with over 30 profession move deflections and 7 interceptions. However there are issues as as to whether this may translate on the subsequent stage because of his extra modest athleticism. Moore additionally lacks versatility and lacks the transition abilities or lengthy pace to successfully work within the slot.
Moore has a fast analysis and set off to defend the run. He brings an aggressive, typically overly aggressive, mentality to the sphere as he relishes the enforcer position. However this will result in pointless penalties as he has misplaced his cool on a number of events all through his collegiate profession. However he’ll tempt NFL groups to convey him on board together with his particular groups expertise with nearly 500 snaps and a blocked punt landing on his resume.
11. Maryland S Dante Dealer Jr. – Senior – 5-11, 200 – 4.65
Dealer makes up for a scarcity of athleticism with a pure really feel for the sport and nice instincts. His processing permits him to play quicker than his testing would lead one to consider. He’s fast to set off downfield and might sift and kind whereas he runs the alley to make performs close to the road of scrimmage. His tackling improved significantly in 2024 shifting from an nearly 20% missed sort out fee to south of 5%.
His preparation is properly regarded which is able to endear him to NFL groups as somebody who could make a fast and seamless transition to being knowledgeable. However his athleticism continues to be a priority as are nagging accidents. His lack of measurement can even be of concern when it comes to how his tackling will fare on the subsequent stage.
12. Toledo S Maxen Hook – Senior – 6-0, 201 – 4.52
Hook dominated his convention the place he was a three-time first-team All-MAC choice. He capped his five-season profession with 107 tackles, six passes defensed and two interceptions. He’s a linear athlete who can play downhill properly. He hits his marks in zone protection, however he can get caught out of place peeking into the backfield for too lengthy.
Hook likes to ship the large hit which may lead him to taking poor angles and lacking with inconsistent kind. Hook brings an aggressiveness and tenacity to the place, taking over pullers and climbers to be an actual asset becoming the run. He can have a leg up on different choices in his vary because of in depth particular groups expertise and his fearless perspective.
Greatest Of The Relaxation
13. Kansas State S Marques Sigle – Senior – 5-11, 199 – 4.37
Sigle, a transformed cornerback brings elite pace, burst and approach to the place. However whereas he’s fast, his smaller stature works in opposition to him when delivering pictures as a tackler. He’s measured in studying route ideas and has strong eye self-discipline to remain on prime of the play. A workforce captain, he has tailored properly to his new place and the communication obligations that include it. He has proven some playmaking capability, going past simply protection. In 2024, Sigle posted 60 tackles, together with 6.5 for a loss, to go together with six move breakups and three interceptions, together with a pick-six.
Kansas State S Marques Sigle – Picture by: USA At this time
14. Cal S Craig Woodson – Senior – 6-0, 200 – 4.45
Woodson is a six-year senior who misplaced his 2021 season to an damage and most of 2020 because of Covid. He’s a traditional case of “jack of all trades, grasp of none.” He’s not a poor athlete, however he lacks explosiveness. He can transfer properly in house with clean hips and is prepared and capable of make performs on the ball and contest catches. Woodson is comfy taking part in each within the field in addition to break up in two-high, however he doesn’t have the elite protection abilities to be a single-post participant. As a result of missed time, Woodson shall be 24 on draft day. However his 450 profession particular groups snaps ought to guarantee he hears his title known as to fill a depth spot on an NFL roster.
15. Nevada S Kitan Crawford – Senior – 5-11, 202 – 4.41
Crawford’s play improved considerably in 2024 with added alternatives in opposition to lesser competitors after transferring from Texas to Nevada for his remaining collegiate season. He reveals fast and nimble actions. He pairs that plus athleticism with lively eyes, staying balanced in studying route distributions whereas peeking within the backfield. Crawford’s pacing is just not constant from snap to snap, as he doesn’t at all times really feel comfy actioning what he sees at full pace. You possibly can see this in laborious bites on play motion and RPO’s. As a tackler there’s a lot to be desired. In every of the final two seasons he has posted a missed sort out fee north of 15%.
16. Clemson S R.J. Mickens – Senior – 6-0, 199 – 4.49
Mickens is a well-built striker who’s finest utilized within the field or as a half-field defender. He strikes easily in house and finds methods to clog throwing lanes resulting in 9 move breakups and two interceptions in 2024. His recreation tape doesn’t help his explosive testing drills the place he registered a 41.5-inch vertical soar. That lack of explosiveness reveals in how he closes as a run defender; with out the urgency a real enforcer would usually present. However he breaks down properly and his lengthy arms make for sound tackling approach.
Bucs Greatest Bets By Scott Reynolds
Rounds 1-3: Georgia S Malaki Starks
If the Bucs are going to pick out a security within the first three rounds it very properly may very well be within the first spherical with Starks, who’s clearly one of the best security prospect on this yr’s draft. Starks performed sturdy security and nickelback, along with seeing some snaps at free security. He performed with Tykee Smith at Georgia and can even convey some championship pedigree to Tampa Bay the place he may workforce up together with his former Bulldogs teammate once more and assist solidify the Bucs secondary. Smith and Starks have already got some on-field chemistry from their time collectively in Kirby Sensible’s protection.
Starks is a barely higher athlete than Smith is when it comes to fluidity, and his versatility is engaging. Both he may play sturdy security as a rookie and the Bucs may hold Smith at nickel cornerback or vice versa. The addition of such a flexible defensive again needs to be intriguing for head coach Todd Bowles, whose secondary may use one other playmaker. Starks had 23 move breakups and 6 interceptions in three seasons at Georgia. He must grow to be extra of a certain tackler on the subsequent stage, however he’s definitely prepared in run help.
Rounds 4-7: Marshall S JJ Roberts
If the Bucs don’t deal with security early within the draft, the workforce may choose somebody like Virginia’s Jonas Sanker within the fourth spherical. However Tampa Bay additionally introduced in Marshall’s JJ Roberts for an official 30 go to, and he’s the one security Pewter Report is aware of that visited One Buccaneer Place main as much as the NFL Draft. The Bucs usually draft particular groups contributors late on Day 3, and the 5-foot-10, 192-pound Roberts suits the scale profile that Todd Bowles likes in his safeties, whereas his 4.41 pace additionally checks that field.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler stated that Roberts seems like a cornerback, however performs like a security given his penchant for making laborious hits in run help. Roberts spent three years at Wake Forest earlier than transferring to Marshall the place he capped off his faculty profession with an ideal senior season. He led the workforce with 94 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and in addition had a sack. Whereas he didn’t have an interception in 2024, Roberts did have 14 move breakups and completed with three picks in his faculty profession together with 28 PBUs. Roberts pressured 5 fumbles between Wake Forest and Marshall. He may wind up being the Bucs’ fifth- or seventh-round choose.
