Bucs Draft 2023 Preview + Bucs Best Bets: S

Pewter Report analyzes the top players in the 2023 NFL Draft with its position previews – energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report. Matt Matera finishes the previews with the safety position, and a comprehensive look at what the Bucs have and what they need at safety. Matera also provides a detailed list of this year’s top safeties. In addition, Scott Reynolds offers up the Bucs draft needs and the annual Pewter Report Bucs’ Best Bets – the most likely safety for the Bucs to select in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.

What The Bucs Have At Safety

There was a lot of change at safety heading into last season and even more so now going into this year. Antoine Winfield Jr., who’s been the best safety on the team, is still in Tampa Bay and is one of the best players on defense. He played a lot more in the slot last year, but head coach Todd Bowles has stated he’s moving back to free safety.

Tampa Bay made a great under-the-radar signing, picking up former Seahawks safety Ryan Neal last month. Neal gained plenty of starting experience last year and received a grade of 85.6 on PFF as one of the highest grades players at the position.

His versatility to play in the box, at free safety and in the slot gives the Bucs some flexibility. The Bucs also have undrafted free agent Nolan Turner going into his second year. He was signed to the practice squad and got called up to the roster late in the season.

Several players departed this offseason. Mike Edwards signed with the Chiefs, while Keanu Neal agreed to a deal with the Steelers. The only other remaining free agent from the Bucs’ safety room is Logan Ryan, who could potentially return if Tampa Bay comes up empty at the safety position in the draft.

What The Bucs Need At Safety

There are really two things the Bucs need. The first is depth as Tampa Bay only had two safeties on the roster until signing Neal. They really need to fill out that room and will do so in the draft and with one more free agent contract. They need depth at both safety spots – free safety and strong safety. The Bucs need to get bodies in the building.

Tampa Bay will also be looking for a player that can play in the slot. Whether that’s a safety or a corner will be up to the coaches, but the Bucs view that as a starting position and it needs to be filled. With Winfield staying at free safety, Neal could fill that role, as could potentially corners Dee Delaney and Zyon McCollum. The Bucs more than likely are trying to find a safety that can play in the slot as well.

Top Safeties In 2023 NFL Draft

*Important Note: These players are NOT listed in the order of Pewter Report’s ranking for them. Rather, the numbers are provided to show you the rough order in which we expect them to come off the board during the draft.

1. Texas A&M S Antonio Johnson – Junior – 6-2, 198 – 4.52

In his his two years as a starter, Johnson played in all but three games. He previously was a wide receiver, so he has plenty of instinctual traits when lined up in coverage. As a physical player and solid tackler, Johnson can line up everywhere, including the slot. Last season he recorded 71 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup and a team leading three forced fumbles. After Alabama’s Brian Branch, who is a first-rounder and listed in Pewter Report’s nickelback preview, Johnson figures to be the next safety off the board – likely in the second round.

2. Alabama S Jordan Battle – Senior – 6-1, 209 – 4.55

Battle is a very reliable safety that was a four year starter for the Crimson Tide. He can be trusted because he’s rarely out of position. Battle has NFL-ready size and physicality, and has also shown a great ability to flip his hips and change direction on a dime when needed. Battle usually plays back deep but can move up into the box as well. He’s recorded 251 tackles, 16 pass breakups and six interceptions in his college career at Alabama. Battle is projected to be a third-round pick.

3. Illinois S Sydney Brown – Senior – 5-10, 211 – 4.47

Illinois S Sydney Brown Photo by: USA TODAY

Brown is an explosive player who can bring a little bit of everything to a secondary. He played a lot in the box at Illinois, but was really moved around everywhere, including playing in the slot and covering tight ends. Brown can play back deep or also line up at the line of scrimmage and be involved in a play. He’s got a good amount of speed that helps him stay with receivers. His 4.47 40-yard dash was fourth-best at the Combine among safeties.

Brown brings a sense of physicality combine with athleticism. He had six interceptions during his senior year along with one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two defensive touchdowns. He also made 60 tackles, one sack, 3.5 tackles for loss and seven pass breakups. Todd Bowles is going to have fun implementing this safety in different ways. Brown will likely be a third-round pick.

4. Boise State S J.L. Skinner – Senior – 6-4, 209 – N/A

There’s a lot of high intensity play that comes from Skinner’s game. He has great length as a safety and has studied other taller safeties in the NFL, including Kam Chancellor. Skinner can be imposing physically and overall is aggressive at the position. He’s an ideal fit as a box safety.

He was a three-year starter at Boise State and really found his footing in 2021 and 2022. That first year he tallied a whopping 92 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, seven pass breakups and two picks. Those tackles and forced fumbles led his team, and Skinner made second team All-Mountain West Conference. The next year his tackle total dropped to 65, but he upped his numbers in taking the ball away with four interceptions, earning him first team All-Mountain West. Skinner is likely an early Day 3 selection.

5. Georgia S Christopher Smith II – Senior – 5-11, 192 – 4.62

All of Georgia’s defense is stacked with future players that will line up on Sundays, so give Smith credit for standing out amongst that group. He’s a multi-year captain of the team, showing he’s a leader on an elite group. Smith also does everything well on defense. Line him up anywhere and he’ll get the job done. It can be in the box, back deep, slot – whatever it calls for.

His senior year was by far his best as a collegiate player. Smith racked up 61 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, eight pass breakups and led the Bulldogs with three interceptions. The accolades he earned include first team All-SEC and a unanimous first team All-American. The two-time national champion is projected to be a fourth-round pick.

6. Sacramento State S Marte Mapu – Senior – 6-3, 216 – N/A

Sacramento State LB Marte Mapu – Photo courtesy of Sacramento State

He might be another undersized defensive player, but Mapu is going to outwork everybody on the roster. A versatile player who was moved all over, Mapu stood out during the Senior Bowl as a playmaker while intercepting the ball and forcing fumbles. He made a name for himself that week in a group of well-known prospects.

Mapu is relentless while playing and can fit in right away as a safety, a slot defender or a nickel linebacker due to his size. The Sacramento State defender visited Tampa Bay on a Top 30 visit. He’s likely a fourth- or fifth-round pick.

7. California S Daniel Scott – Senior – 6-1, 208 – 4.45

Scott had to bide his time before really getting involved as an every game player, but made the most of it when he got the chance for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He isn’t afraid to make hits over the middle against impending receivers and can read the field really well. Scott has showcased a solid ability to track the ball in the air when it’s going his way and win those one-on-one matchups.

In the two years as a starter, Scott recorded 167 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack, three forced fumbles, 12 passes defensed and six interceptions including one pick-six. He was a team captain in his last season, making an honorable mention for all Pac-12. Scott is viewed as a fourth- or fifth-round pick.

8. Notre Dame S Brandon Joseph – Senior – 6-0, 202 – 4.62

Joseph spent three years at Northwestern before transferring to Notre Dame for one last season. He’s got a good combination of size and speed. In coverage, Joseph has great vision on the field that allows him to react at a faster rate than most. Joseph is very disciplined as well, considering he was not penalized at all last season. He adds a little extra to his game with return ability on special teams.

During his final year at Northwestern he made 80 tackles and led his team with three interceptions. What’s crazy is the year before he had six. Moving over to Notre Dame, Joseph made 30 tackles and one interception, but that takeaway went for a touchdown as a pick-six. Joseph is a mid-Day 3 pick.

9. Penn State S Ji’Ayir Brown – Senior – 5-11, 203 – 4.65

Brown takes a bit of a “no-risk it, no biscuit” approach as a safety. He’ll be very aggressive and take risks, but that’s why he’s had 10 interceptions over the last two years. Brown is physical and the type of player that sets the tempo early in the game. If a team wants someone that can get the unit going, he’s the guy. His biggest drawback is just his lack of elite speed and athleticism. Brown is a viewed as a mid-Day 3 prospect.

10. Ohio State S Ronnie Hickman – Senior – 6-0, 203 – N/A

He is an impressive blitzer when going after the quarterback and has enough size and speed to cover tight ends and some wide receivers. Hickman likes to anticipate where the play is going and cut it off before the ball arrives. Solid in coverage, he only allowed 13 catches to go with recording one interception and five pass breakups on the year. Brown will likely be drafted in the fifth or sixth round.

Best Of The Rest

11. Pittsburgh S Brandon Hill – RS Junior – 5-10, 193 – 4.43

Pittsburgh S Brandon Hill – Photo by: USA Today

With legitimate 4.43 speed, he can run with the best receivers while patrolling the deep center field portion of the field or come down hill and attack the run. Hill’s greatest asset is his willingness to play loose, using his natural athleticism take over. Armed with loose hips that let him turn and burn quickly, he can recover from play-fake bites easily and click and close quickly.

Hill is a smaller safety but his frame is not dissimilar to that of former Bucs strong safety Jordan Whitehead, who also played at Pittsburgh. Like Whitehead, Hill is best suited for a box role. Don’t sleep on his ability to fool quarterbacks with different disguises in coverage. Hill is a fifth- or sixth-round prospect.

12. Alabama S DeMarcco Hellams – Senior – 6-1, 203 – 4.57

Hellams led all Alabama defenders with 108 tackles last year. He displayed versatility by playing both back deep and up at the line of scrimmage. Hellams shown a good ability to use the correct angle of pursuit when stopping the run, which is a much needed trait when playing towards the box. In the passing game, Hellams best excels covering intermediate routes. His average athleticism makes him a fifth- or sixth-rounder.

13. LSU S Jay Ward – Senior – 6-1, 188 – 4.55

Ward went over from playing cornerback to safety. He can cover short ground quickly if a run play develops, showing a physical nature to his game that you don’t typically get from defensive backs. War is an instinctual player when it comes to defending the pass, which is why he had six interceptions and 23 pass breakups in his college career. On top of that, he added a defensive touchdown on a scoop and score. Ward is a fifth- or sixth-round pick.

14. Iowa State S Anthony Johnson Jr. – RS Senior – 6-0, 205 – 4.54

Another player that switched over from corner to safety, Johnson didn’t have any interceptions until he moved to safety where he recorded two. He also did rack up 30 pass breakups during his college playing days. A St. Petersburg resident, Johnson is athletic enough to get job the done. He was a team captain and proved that sometimes you just got to keep sticking at it. Johnson was an honorable mention All-Big XII for three years in a row before finally making second team All-Big XII in 2022. He’s regarded as a fifth- or sixth-round selection.

15. Houston S Gervarrius Owens – Senior – 6-0, 195 – N/A

Owens is an all-hustle player that has excellent ball skills when tracking a throw. He has the type of athleticism a team looks for in a safety. Owens was a team captain in his final year at school. In 2021 he was first team All-AAC, while in 2022 he made second team. Owens projects as a sixth-rounder.

16. Florida S Trey Dean III – Senior – 6-2, 200 – 4.75

Dean has excellent size for his position and very fluid movement in coverage. He doesn’t typically look erratic on any kind of play, which may happen to defensive backs at times. Dean didn’t allow a touchdown last season and has also been called the best trash talker on the team. He recorded 259 tackles, 24 pass breakups and four interceptions in his college career. His lack of speed will hold him back and push him down to the sixth or seventh round.

17. Iowa S Kaevon Merriweather – Senior – 6-0, 205 – 4.62

Adding a playmaker like Merriweather in a late round would be a steal for any team. Merriweather was a bit of a late bloomer at Iowa, but ended his Hawkeyes career with a bang with five takeaways, including a pair of defensive touchdowns. At 6-foot, 211 pounds he has ideal size to play safety in the NFL and could contribute on special teams as a rookie. Merriweather is viewed as a sixth- or seventh-round pick.

18. Florida S Rashad Torrence II – Junior – 6-0, 193 – 4.72

Torrence is more than willing to tackle in the open field. He has good vision especially as a versatile player that will line up at free safety and in the box. Torrence lead the Gators in 2021 with three interceptions while recording 87 tackles. Though he had three less with 84 the next season, that was enough to lead the team in that category. Torrence is a likely seventh-round pick.

19. Virginia Tech S Chamarri Conner – Senior – 6-0, 202 – 4.51

With good enough speed, Conner is capable of playing well in both zone schemes and if he has to line up in man-to-man. Because he has the right size and can be physical, Conner played in many different areas for the Hokies showing many traits. From 2019 to 2021 he was an honorable mention all-ACC. He led the team with 5.5 sacks in 2019, then led them with 81 tackles the following. Conner improved his tackling number to 85 in 2021 and was named team captain in 2022. Conner projects as a seventh-round pick.

Bucs Best Best At Safety

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: Illinois S Sydney Brown

The Bucs might be tempted to take Alabama safety/nickel defender Brian Branch in the first round if he’s there. While not the best athlete, Branch is a heady, savvy, instinctive defensive back, who rarely misses tackles and rarely makes mistakes. But with bigger needs in the trenches, Tampa Bay might wait to address the safety position until the second or third round with a player like Brown. Although a little undersized at under 5-foot-10, 211 pounds, Brown is rocked up and similarly built to Antoine Winfield Jr.

Brown was a big-time playmaker at Illinois where he logged 319 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and two sacks in 50 career starts. While he has great, in-the-box ability as a strong safety, Brown also has good range with 4.47 speed and picked off 10 passes and broke 26 in college, mostly playing in two deep coverage. Brown is always around the ball, and posted six of those interceptions and 13 pass breakups last year as a senior. He came to Tampa Bay for a Top 30 visit and would be a perfect fit in the Bucs secondary.

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: Sacramento State S Marte Mapu

Mapu is one of the more interesting players in this draft due to his versatility. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he has the size to play nickel or dime linebacker near the line of scrimmage, but also has enough speed to cover in the slot. The Sacramento State star logged 926 snaps in the slot as a nickel DB/overhang linebacker, as well as 409 snaps in the box as a strong safety over the last two years. Mapu notched 165 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 22 pass breakups and seven interceptions in college.

He fared well at the Senior Bowl and showed his aggressive hitting and tackling style. Viewed as a smart, hard working, instinctive defender, Mapu is an ascending player with good length and size that will allow him to match up well with tight ends in the slot. The Bucs had him in for a pre-draft Top 30 visit and he could be a nice chess piece for Todd Bowles on defense as an early Day 3 selection.