Buccaneers Agree to Terms with Third-Round Pick

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed to terms with third-round draft pick defensive back Tykee Smith.

The team announced the deal Wednesday, leaving just three draft picks left to be signed.

Via the team’s website,

“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed defensive back Tykee Smith to his first NFL contract on Wednesday afternoon. Smith was selected by the Bucs in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he joins fourth-round running back Bucky Irving, seventh-round tight end Devin Culp and sixth-round guard Elijah Klein as members of the rookie class to get deals done. Like the rest, Smith inked the standard four-year rookie contract.”

Smith spent three years at the University of Georgia after playing his first two seasons in West Virginia with the Mountaineers. The Philadelphia native was named All-SEC Second Team in 2023 while posting 70 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, two sacks, four interceptions, and two passes defensed.

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This is our Post-Draft Grade for Smith from JT Olson

Tykee Smith – B+

The Bucs wanted to improve in coverage going into this season. The pass defense was picked apart far too often last year as the team switched from primarily man coverage, to more zone heavy. Changes had to be made in the secondary.

We saw this with the trade of Carlton Davis. Now Zyon McCollum is expected to step in and start as someone who fits the direction of the defense better and has more play making ability on the ball. This was also a point of emphasis.

The Buccaneers add similar skill upgrades with Smith. He had four interceptions in college last year and is a better, more athletic coverage player than last year’s starting nickel Chris Izien. It’s not the outside cornerback that some expected, but Smith fits the bill for everything the Bucs wanted.

Tykee Smith’s College Highlights 

It’s believed the Bucs see Smith as their slot defensive back. If that is the case, look out because this guy is a playmaker.