Tykee Smith A Major Threat At The Line
July 6th, 2026
Beware.
The Bucs may have something in the works that ought to scare the hell out of opposing offenses.
Sure, it’s been quite a while since a Bucs defense scared anyone. And that’s sad for Joe to type when the Bucs have a longtime NFL defensive coach and former Super Bowl-winning safety as a head coach.
Anyway, outside of Antoine Winfield, who is still superior at stripping the ball away, especially from unsuspecting receivers near the goal line, little about the Bucs defense scared anyone but Bucs fans.
Times may be changing.
That’s i Keionte Scott works out at nickel, he was notorious for making plays at or behind the line of scrimmage at Miami. And Joe has already documented how Winfield can be a terror at the goal line, or downfield. But it’s fellow Bucs safety Tykee Smith who is beginning to build a helluva resume.
Last year, per Bucs media relations, Smith was tied for fifth in tackles for loss in the NFL.
It gets better. Smith is also damn good plugging holes in the run game. He tied for fifth-most tackles for loss on run plays.
Scott was known as a heat-seeking missile in college. Smith is gaining the same reputation in the NFL. And Winfield can be when called upon.
So yeah, if teams run against the Bucs, provided Scott develops, offenses will have to worry about three guys in the secondary blowing up plays.
July 6th, 2026 at 9:06 am
love this kids game..tough as nails and answers the bell every week…looking forward to him being a BUC for a long time
GO BUCS!!!!
July 6th, 2026 at 9:55 am
Tykee will be even better this year with some experience and better ILBs in front of him. That Carolina safety, Tre’von Moehrig, is a great player that has to be accounted for.
Still, it’s a passing league, so these run stats are nice, but it’s the pass defense that needs to be much better – especially red zone.
July 6th, 2026 at 10:17 am
Shame on you Joe, for not even mentioning Robert Parrish as the 4th guy in the secondary blowing up plays.
July 6th, 2026 at 10:37 am
Only defender in the league last year with 100 tackles, 13 PBUs & 3 recorded takeaways(2 fumbles & 1 Pick).
July 6th, 2026 at 12:03 pm
The Bucs best safety in 2026 will either be B-Rex or Kancey. Vita will be the best inside linebacker.
But Tykee’s 2 or 3 sacks might lead the team.
Confusion reigns supreme. It’s genis coaching.
July 6th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Would love that Joe. Smith and AWJ love to hit people.
Want to see more TFLs from aome of the dudes in front of them though.
Diaby did way better than I thought with 13. Believe it or not Reddick had 6. Vea did his usual good job as well. Dennis had 10 but had 15 missed tackles…
Go Bucs!
July 6th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
garro
Funny, I’ve seen Smith literally stand and watch as a ball carrier approached then when on by.
And I distinctly remember Winfield making a “business decision” when Cordarelle Patterson came Mano y Mano..
This team is Charmin soft.
July 6th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
For every Jason Licht bust there is a Jason Licht boom…
T. Smith is a definite boom.
Great pick JL – man he has had some awesome 3rd round picks over the years.
Chris Godwin (WR)
Trey Palmer (WR)
Jalen McMillan (WR)
Rachaad White (RB)
Jamel Dean (CB)
Jacob Parrish (CB)
Tykee Smith (DB)
Alex Cappa (OL)
Robert Hainsey (OL)
YaYa Diaby (OL)
Kendell Beckwith (ILB)
Mike Edwards (S)
* I know – Beckwith? He would have been a beast if he didn’t wreck that car…
This is still an impressive list of solid players.
July 6th, 2026 at 1:33 pm
LOL
YaYa Diaby (OLB)
July 6th, 2026 at 1:38 pm
Tykee was the best player on defense last year. He led the team in sacks for most of the season.
Tykee is the reason I’m surprised the Bucs didn’t draft CJ Allen. Another captain and stud from Georgia.
July 6th, 2026 at 2:15 pm
You know Smith has to be thinking, looks over at Antoine who is making 18 million a year, looks at himself who is making like $6.43 an hour “@#$$5$¢¥π!”