The Pewter Plank
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4 heated camp battles to watch closely

By Cory Kinnan

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SC – SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive back Mike Edwards #7 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates an interception against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/GettyImages)
COLUMBIA, SC – SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive back Mike Edwards #7 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates an interception against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/GettyImages) /

Safety: Mike Edwards vs. Kentrell Brice vs. Jordan Whitehead

We have already discussed how terrible the secondary was last year, and the Buccaneers not only added two cornerbacks, but drafted safety Mike Edwards in the third round and signed former Green Bay Packer to a one-year deal this offseason. While Justin Evans, assuming he will be healthy, looks to have one safety spot on lock, Brice and Edwards will compete for Jordan Whitehead opposite him.

After the injury to Chris Conte last year, Whitehead stepped in next to Evans as the second safety as a rookie. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Whitehead scored an average 64.6 during his rookie campaign for the pewter and red.

In 11 starts, Whitehead did not record an interception, but knocked down four passes. In addition, he tallied 61 solo tackles and four tackles for loss for the Buccaneers’ secondary in 2018. While he played well as a rookie, he is not a lock to keep the starting role with the addition of Brice and Edwards.

Brice started ten games in Green Bay last season, 14 total in his three year career to this point. According to PFF, Brice did not fair well and ranked below average with a score of 51. He knocked down two passes, recorded one sack, one tackle for loss, and 40 solo tackles a year ago for the Packers.

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Edwards is generating a lot of buzz this offseason after being selected in the third round by the Buccaneers this year. Edwards not only has a chance to win a starting job as a rookie, but will be used in nickel packages as well in the slot. Adept against the run and the pass, Edwards could be the next breed of safeties which Bowles loves to utilize like Tyrann Mathieu.

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