The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense took a step back last season as the unit suffered injuries to key players and poor play from replacements.
Ranking near the bottom of most defensive categories to end the season, Todd Bowles' unit hopes to rebound this year. General manager Jason Licht addressed the defense in free agency and in the draft this year, hoping some fresh faces will contribute to a rebound.
But a return to health will also be a positive factor.
After placing at No. 1 in the safety rankings last offseason, Antoine Winfield Jr. fell to No. 7 this season in ESPN's Jeremy Fowler's rankings, admittedly due to his injuries last season.
"Winfield's lack of splash in 2024 was noticeable, especially coming off an all-world performance the previous season that earned him a four-year, $84 million contract extension," Fowler wrote. "Injuries held Winfield to nine games, and he never got in a rhythm of disrupting the football. He finished the season with zero interceptions, 3 pass deflections, 2 sacks and zero forced fumbles. That was a big drop from 2023, when he recorded 6 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries and 3 interceptions. 'He plays just like his dad [former NFL cornerback Antoine Winfield], great tackler, always around the ball,' an NFL coordinator said. 'But with his size mixed with that physicality, you worry about his durability, and that showed up last year.'
"Voters are largely willing to give Winfield a pass for last year. After all, he is still in his prime."
Winfield is expected to be a big part of the Bucs' defense this season, alongside Christian Izien, Tykee Smith, Zyon McCollum and newcomers Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison.