Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Breaking down depth at safety position
By Cory Kinnan
The returning guys from 2018:
The Buccaneers bring back three safeties from a year ago, and one former second round cornerback who will be moving to safety in 2019. However, out of this group only one guy seems to be a lock to start, and even that is dependent on his health.
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Third-year player Justin Evans was still in a walking boot as of mini-camp after suffering an ankle injury that cut his 2018 season short. After a promising rookie year, Evans took a slight step back last year, but looks to rebound in a big way under Bowles who will deploy him in heavy blitz packages and stick him in the box often.
After Evans, the depth gets a bit murky and the second safety spot seems up for grabs. Second-year player Jordan Whitehead will be given the opportunity to open training camp as the second safety after filling in, and holding his own, as the starter after the injury to Conte last year. While he will open camp as the starter, he will face plenty of competition for that starting spot from a couple of newcomers to be named later.
The other safeties returning are M.J. Stewart, converting from cornerback and a second round pick from a year ago, and Isaiah Johnson who signed his restricted tender this offseason. Stewart is in no danger of losing a roster spot and should see the field in defensive back heavy schemes; Johnson may have to scratch and claw to make the team in 2019.