Bucs Sign Another Cornerback As Secondary Rebuild Continues

The Bucs aren’t done rebuilding their secondary this offseason, as they have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with former Browns and Texans cornerback Tavierre Thomas, Pewter Report reported on Monday.

It was previously reported Saturday that Thomas was set to visit with the Bucs following a visit with the Lions in his hometown of Detroit.

At 5-foot-10, 205 pounds, the 28-year-old Thomas gives the Bucs another option at nickel cornerback. He has played the majority of his career defensive snaps in the slot, including 197 in 2020 with Cleveland and 582 in 2021, 390 in 2022 and 303 in 2023 — all with Houston.

Christian Izien started all 17 games in the slot for the Bucs last season after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers. The signing of Thomas means Izien will have some competition as he makes an effort to retain his starting role in Tampa Bay.

Over six NFL seasons, Thomas has logged 225 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, six pass breakups, two interceptions and six forced fumbles, including one last year against Tampa Bay in Houston’s 39-37 come-from-behind victory in Week 9.

Thomas has graded out well over the last three seasons, at least by Pro Football Focus’ grading standards. He has an overall defensive grade of 70 or better in each of his last three seasons with the Texans, and he has been particularly good against the run. His coverage grades have been strong as well.

Thomas’ PFF Grades From 2021-2023

2021: 77.6 Overall, 86.5 Run Defense, 71.4 Tackling, 76.1 Coverage, 48.9 Pass Rush
2022: 70.0 Overall, 62.2 Run Defense, 75.6 Tackling, 75.0 Coverage, 43.5 Pass Rush
2023: 72.2 Overall, 83.2 Run Defense, 60.8 Tackling, 69.5 Coverage, 44.3 Pass Rush

By comparison, Izien earned a 66.8 overall grade, an 80.3 run defense grade, a 61.3 tackling grade and a 66.5 coverage grade in his first season in Tampa Bay.

Bucs Have Worked To Rebuild Their Secondary This Offseason

Former Texans CB Tavierre Thomas – Photo by: USA Today

Tavierre Thomas is the new-look Bucs secondary’s third new addition over the last week. The first major move Tampa Bay made with its secondary was trading Carlton Davis III to Detroit, creating cap space and picking up a third-round pick in the process.

That move signaled a change to the starting outside cornerback duo, of course, as Jamel Dean will fill Davis’ CB1 role and Zyon McCollum will get an opportunity to bump up to the CB2 job in 2024.

The next big move the Bucs made with their secondary was bringing strong safety Jordan Whitehead back on a two-year deal. Whitehead was a fourth-round draft pick of Tampa Bay’s in 2018 and now, two years after he left via free agency, he’s back to pair up once again with All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr.

After bringing Whitehead back into the fold, the Bucs weren’t done plucking from the Jets’ secondary. That’s because they signed former New York cornerback Bryce Hall on Friday. Hall will presumably fill the No. 3 cornerback role that McCollum vacated when he moved into a starting role after the Davis trade.

And now, the Bucs have added a veteran in Thomas to create a competition with Izien, who is entering his second year in the league. Tampa Bay may not be entirely done with secondary-related acquisitions, either, as there’s plenty of time to keep adding in free agency before the 2024 Draft next month.

This rebuild of the defensive backfield doesn’t come as much of a shock considering Todd Bowles’ defense was ranked 28th in the league last year against the pass, allowing 249.6 yards per game. That was quite a step back from 2022, when the defense allowed an average of just 208.8 yards per game through the air.

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