Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Last chance for the 2016 draft class
By Jamil King
Ryan Smith
The Buccaneers selected Ryan Smith in the fourth round in 2016 out of North Carolina Central. Like Spence, Smith was another small school player brought to Tampa Bay in 2016, and like the rest of the class, he too has yet to make a real name for himself.
Smith was primarily a cornerback in college, but has been shuffled around by the Bucs between corner and safety. It will be interesting to see how new defensive coordinator Bowles uses the versatile defensive back in 2019.
Starting 16 games over the last two seasons, Smith has had an up and down career to this point. Although the Buccaneers are expected to add a good deal of depth in 2019, Smith still expects to be a nice depth piece for Tampa Bay this upcoming season. He must take advantage of any opportunity that he gets on the field for the Buccaneers.
Smith finished last season with one interception, six passes deflected, and 38 tackles for the Bucs; in his career, has tallied another five passes defended and has forced three fumbles. Entering the last year of his rookie contract, Smith must prove that he is worth keeping around in Tampa Bay, or at least put together a nice portfolio for another team to take a chance on his services.