After upgrading their pass rush to start Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bucs stuck with the defensive side of the ball when they were back on the clock in the third round. With the first of their two third-round picks, they selected safety Tykee Smith out of Georgia.
Smith began his collegiate career at West Virginia, totaling 114 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, a sack, 13 passes defensed and four interceptions in 22 games (17 starts) between 2019 and 2020.
He then transferred to Georgia in 2021, though injuries cost him a chance to contribute to the Bulldogs’ national championship season. However, he bounced back in 2022 as he came up with 28 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble as Georgia repeated as national champions.
His best year for the Bulldogs came in 2023, when he posted 70 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, six passes defensed and four interceptions. He was a Second Team All-SEC selection as he wrapped up his career in a big way.
What Kind Of Player Is New Bucs Safety Tykee Smith?
Tykee Smith is a physically imposing, hard-hitting strong safety type who is most effective near and behind the line of scrimmage. He had 8.5 tackles for loss in 2023, showing he has a penchant for getting into the backfield on blitzes.
In coverage, he holds up well against tight ends and power slots and shows a nose for the ball in terms creating turnovers. He led the Bulldogs with four interceptions last year.
Smith doesn’t sacrifice his technical form as a tackler just to deliver a big hit. He’s just very physical as he drives through ball-carriers. He’s not the best or most fluid athlete, but he has 4.46 speed and certainly is functional and linear in that area.
How Does Tykee Smith Fit With The Bucs Secondary?
The Bucs have their starting safeties in Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead, but Tykee Smith provides immediate depth at strong safety as a rookie.
Not only that, but he can compete for the starting nickel cornerback job from day one. He’ll look to beat out 2023 undrafted free agent Christian Izien and free agent signing Tavierre Thomas for a role in the nickel packages that Bucs head coach Todd Bowles likes to run. Last season, Smith played 434 snaps out of the slot as opposed to 87 snaps in the box and 18 snaps as a deep safety.
While the Bucs did bring Whitehead back into the mix this offseason, Smith is in the same mold as the perfect complement to Winfield, who was an All-Pro in 2023. Long-term, he is at his best when playing a box safety/nickel role. That lets Winfield play up top as a centerfielder.
Whether he rotates in at safety, plays the bulk of his snaps at nickel or does a bit of everything for the Tampa Bay defense, Smith will find a way to make an impact. He also has the size and physicality to be a good special teams player, especially as a rookie when he otherwise may need some time to carve out a role on defense. He played all four special teams coverages (with 420 special teams snaps) over the last two seasons.
Smith has the right temperament to handle any role, as Georgia head coach Kirby Smart describes him as “unselfish” and said he’s the type of player who will do anything he’s asked. That means he’s the right type of player and person Tampa Bay is looking to add to its locker room.
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound safety truly is a Todd Bowles-type safety, and Bowles is plenty familiar with the Georgia program given that his son, Troy, plays for the Bulldogs. Smith met formally with the Bucs at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, plus he came in for a top-30 visit during the pre-draft process.
The team made its interest in the impressive defensive back very clear. He was a Pewter Report Bucs Best Bet for a reason, and now it’s official. He’ll be playing under Bowles in red, white and pewter as he transitions into the NFL.
– Josh Queipo contributed to this report.
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