Bucs Sign Safety To 1-Year Deal

Bucs Keep Top Backup Safety

Melifwonu was signed to the Bucs at the beginning of training camp and it was actually a surprise that he didn’t make the 53-man roster. Tampa Bay elected to keep just three safeties with Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith and Miles Killebrew. But with Killebrew primarily as a special teams player, they need another natural safety as a backup.

There’s value as well with Melfionwu on special teams. He’s played 51 snaps there this season through the first three games making one tackle, compared to no snaps on the defensive side.

With wide receiver Jalen McMillan likely going on the injured reserve with a knee injury, this opened up a roster spot for Melifonwu without having to cut another player. It also opens up one more spot on the practice squad.

The Bucs’ defense has more flexibility knowing they’ll have Melifwonu on the active roster. He is by far the biggest safety that they have with his 6-3 size and weighing 210 pounds. We likely won’t see much of him unless something happens to Winfield or Smith, but he is definitely solid depth on the roster.