In as we speak’s NFL, you’ll be able to by no means have too many high quality defensive backs. Groups throw the ball at excessive charges, and among the most profitable groups within the league are those who’ve a number of pass-catching threats who can stress your protection. The extra geared up you’re to take care of these receiving threats, the higher off you’ll be in the long term.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got here into the 2024 season with excessive hopes, however they’re already operating into an enormous drawback: An absence of depth within the defensive backfield. Defensive again Christian Izien needed to are available final week in opposition to the Washington Commanders to play cornerback because of accidents on the place. Now, Izien could also be compelled to start out subsequent week in opposition to top-of-the-line groups within the NFC – if not the whole NFL – the Detroit Lions at a unique place: Security.
Security could also be a extra pure place for Izien than cornerback, however the truth that Tampa Bay has to go to him is an indication of a significant drawback brewing for the staff. Beginning security Antoine Winfield suffered an “ankle/foot” damage within the Week 1 matchup in opposition to Washington and goes to overlook “a few weeks” in line with NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Winfield’s damage implies that the Bucs are going to should do some main juggling within the defensive secondary if gamers don’t get wholesome in a rush. The Bucs could also be compelled to look to the free agent market to deliver somebody in on brief discover, which might spell even additional catastrophe as they go up in opposition to a staff that boasts one in every of final season’s main receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown, and top-of-the-line tight ends within the league in Sam LaPorta.
There are a number of good choices the Bucs might take a look at on the free agent market, together with former Tremendous Bowl champion Bradley Roby, former San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Rams nook Akhello Witherspoon, and former All-Professional nook Patrick Peterson. If the Bucs would slightly preserve Izien at nook, they may additionally look to their backup security Kaevon Merriweather. The Bucs nonetheless have choices, however they’re quickly operating out of them.
