The majority of the major moves that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed to make moving into the 2024 free agency period and offseason have already been completed, and they have since focused on lesser aspects in completing out their roster ahead of April’s forthcoming NFL Draft.
The secondary is one of the position groups that Tampa Bay plans to tweak and enhance this offseason. They welcomed back Super Bowl-winning safety Jordan Whitehead, traded Carlton Davis III, and signed former Jets cornerback Bryce Hall. With these moves, the Buccaneers will most likely have Winfield Jr. and Whitehead securing the two starting safety positions, but the CB position becomes a little more uncertain outside of Jamel Dean.
CB Zyon McCollum has improved his play since entering the league from Sam Houston State and appears to be the first in line to establish he should start opposite Dean, but Hall’s arrival should push him for that place and add depth.
Another vital position in the secondary is the nickel corner, which Christian Izien played last season. Izien performed admirably in the job, but it appears that the Bucs intend to push him even further, as they have hired former Texans CB Tavierre Thomas to a one-year contract.
Last season, Thomas started five games for the Texans and appeared in nine, totaling 51 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. Thomas has 22 starts, two interceptions, and six forced fumbles in his six-year career, which has included stops in both Cleveland and Houston.
Thomas will come in and give versatility, allowing him to play both inside and outside, with the goal of challenging Izien for the starting slot position. Having many guys at depth in 2024 will be critical, as the Bucs’ secondary has struggled with injury difficulties in recent seasons.
