Bucs Sign Another Big Safety

Robert McDaniel Brings More Even Size To Bucs Secondary

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said numerous times this offseason that he wanted to get bigger on defense this year – and that’s not just exclusive to the defensive line. Robert McDaniel is a bigger safety at 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, and is now the fourth safety at least 6-foot-2 and weighing over 200 pounds on the training camp roster.

Special teams ace Miles Killebrew, who was signed in the offseason and practices with the safeties , is 6-foot-2, 220 pounds. Ifeatu Melifonwu is 6-foot-3, 210 pounds and Xavier Williams is 6-foot-2, 220 pounds. Starters Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith are much shorter at 5-foot-9, 203 and 5-foot-10, 202, respectively.

McDaniel originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Commanders on May 9, 2025. He spent his rookie season on Washington’s practice squad and remained with the Commanders until he was waived on August 11, 2026.

McDaniel played collegiately at Jackson State University (2019, 2024), Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (2020-21) and Alcorn State University (2022-23). During his final collegiate season at Jackson State in 2024, McDaniel appeared in 13 games and recorded 55 tackles (10 for loss), five passes defensed, 4.5 sacks, three interceptions and two forced fumbles while helping the Tigers capture the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship.

He earned Phil Steele All-SWAC recognition and participated in the 2025 HBCU Legacy Bowl. The Jackson, Mississippi, native will wear No. 39 for Tampa Bay.