Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum warms up before a NFC wild card playoff game. Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Analyst identifies biggest Buccaneers weakness in 2025

Originally posted on Tampa Bay Buccaneers on SI
By Jeremy Brener | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 8:00 AM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of the top teams in the NFL going into the season, but they are far from a perfect product.

Out of all the spots on the team, one stands out as a weak spot for the Bucs.

Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine identified the secondary as the biggest weakness for Tampa.

Buccaneers could have trouble in secondary

"The Bucs are going to be a headache for a lot of secondaries, but Todd Bowles' secondary might also be a headache for him. Jamel Dean and Antoine Winfield Jr. are sure talents. However, Dean is getting older at 28 and Winfield took a step back last season finishing with a PFF grade that ranked 73rd among all safeties," Ballentine wrote.

"Ideally, the Bucs could see second-round pick Benjamin Morrison emerge as a legitimate starting option. Zyon McCollum held down the role last season, but he only came down with two interceptions on 108 targets."

The Bucs hope their veterans can bounce back while their rookies can apply pressure to force them to perform.

Either way, the Bucs need improvements from the secondary. If they don't, it could cost them as they work their way up the ladder in the NFC.

The Bucs will look to take a step forward when they face off against the Tennessee Titans in the preseason opener at Raymond James Stadium on Aug. 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.