3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers on track to make the Pro Bowl in 2020
By Rob Leeds
The Buccaneer defense was expected to see a massive uptick in success this year, but no one expected for the unit as a whole to improve by such a wide margin. Tampa Bay’s defense is making a compelling case as one of the best defenses in the NFL, and a large part of that is due to rookie Antoine Winfield Jr.
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Winfield is currently playing at a DROY pace despite being a second-round pick and not one of the most recognizable options. The Bucs won in a huge way when they drafted Winfield, and the Pro Bowl is easily within reach at this current pace.
According to PFF.com, Winfield is the highest-graded defensive rookie in the entire league and has also consistently graded out in the top of all NFL safeties each week.
While the grades aren’t everything, the stats back up Winfield’s insane level of play as well. Winfield currently sits third on the Buccaneers in tackles with 24, tied for second in sacks with two, tied for first in passes defended with two, and also has a forced fumble.
Winfield’s stats are at the top of the Buccaneers and hold up well against the rest of the NFL as well. If Winfield can maintain this pace throughout the rest of the season, he could outplay the likes of Chase Young, and making the Pro Bowl will be the least impressive accomplishment.
Don’t look now, but Winfield is already outplaying Jamal Adams this season, making the Bucs passing on the expensive safety a smarter decision every day.