Buccaneers Signed S Ifeatu Melifonwu

He upgrades the depth at safety for Tampa Bay and stays in the state of Florida after last season with the Dolphins. 

Melifonwu, 27, is the brother of veteran S Obi Melifonwu and was a two-year starter for Syracuse. He was also named third-team All-ACC in 2020. The Lions drafted Melifonwu with pick No. 101 in the third round in 2021. 

Melifonwu signed a four-year rookie deal worth $4,785,850 with an $840,618 signing bonus. He made a base salary of $1.192 million for the 2024 season before signing a one-year, $4 million contract with the Dolphins last year. 

In 2025, Melifonwu appeared in 16 games for the Dolphins, making eight starts and recording 53 tackles, one sack, an interception and a pass defense.