The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will enter the 2025 season with Lavonte David and Antoine Winfield Jr. in the top linebacker and safety spots, respectively.
But with new additions to the roster through free agency and the draft, question marks surround additional spots next to them.
With most starters on defense already decided for the most part, the spots opposite David and Winfield are maybe the biggest decisions for Bowles and his staff.
Buccaneers.com senior writer Scott Smith offered his take on this as the team approaches the meat of the offseason.
"I don't think they are absolutely set on either answer yet. However, I think the first cracks at those positions are going to go to SirVocea Dennis and Tykee Smith, respectively," Smith said. "I wouldn't be surprised if there ends up being something of a committee approach to the linebacker spot, like the Bucs were using at the start of last season before Dennis needed shoulder surgery, though Dennis could emerge as an every-down player. I would suspect the coaches will want one specific player to handle the entire safety role, though, barring injury.
"As for Smith, I have to believe that the coaches are going to find some way to get him on the field as much as possible. He dealt with some injuries in his rookie season and primarily worked out of the slot, but he showed signs of being a playmaker in the Winfield mode. The Bucs need as many of those in their secondary as they can put out there, as they search for a higher turnover rate."
Smith went on to mention that Christian Izien is still in the mix after moving around in the secondary last year and showing off his versatility. Kaevon Marriweather will also get consideration after an impressive showing last season.