Better at safety?
Could a coveted Bucs defensive back find stardom in a new position?
That seems to be the line of thinking from Jonathon Macri of the PFF tribe. And Macri is referring to Bucs second-year defensive back Tykee Smith.
The rookie played nickel corner last year, starting six games and playing in 13. He had two picks. But since the Bucs released Jordan Whitehead this spring, it’s left a monster hole in the Bucs secondary.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles has floated as far back as the combine in February that Smith might be the answer — or at least he wants to be the answer.
And Joe isn’t sure Smith was the answer at nickel corner. But with Bowles already crowing about rookie corner Jacob Parrish, who some believe will be the Bucs’ new nickel corner, Smith may be flipped to safety.
Macri seems to think wherever Smith plays, he will be the Bucs’ [breakout candidate](https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-post-nfl-draft-breakout-candidates-for-all-32-teams) for second-year players.
> **TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: DB Tykee Smith**
> Smith established himself as a quality starter for the Buccaneers in Year 1 as a nickel corner, but after some missed time and more of a part-time role, there’s still room for Smith to grow and establish himself as a top slot corner in the league.
Macri seems to think Smith is elite at stopping the run. The way Joe looks at it, the Bucs had for the second season in a row a bottom-five pass defense. Joe doesn’t want to hear any more about a run defense in a passing league.
The Bucs didn’t advance any farther than they did the last two postseasons because the pass defense, specifically edge rush, was trash.
Defensive backs need to worry about defending the pass first and foremost. Teams can find dudes to play safety who are run defenders-first all over the place. They’re a dime a dozen.
If Smith can defend the pass better at safety, so be it. Get him over there.