Updated Buccaneers depth chart after 2024 NFL Draft: Breaking down the defense

Buccaneers 2024 depth chart: Cornerback

Similar to linebacker, Tampa Bay's cornerback room saw a lot of change and player movement this spring. That all starts with the Buccaneers trading Carlton Davis III to Detroit in exchange for the Lions' 2024 third-round pick. With that, Tampa Bay selected Georgia's Tykee Smith at No. 89, who figures to replace Davis III in the secondary.

Smith, a fifth-year senior at Georgia, finished his college career with a team-high 70 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups, and four interceptions in 14 games, and was named to CBS Sports' All-American Second Team. Smith will likely take one of the two starting cornerback spots, in addition to incumbent starter Jamel Dean (61 tackles, four pass breakups).

Similarly, Zyon McCollum, a fifth-round pick in the 2022 draft from Sam Houston State, is a major breakout candidate ahead of his third NFL season. Last season, McCollum posted 68 tackles, nine pass breakups, and two forced fumbles, in 17 games, all career-highs. The Buccaneers also added free-agent cornerbacks Bryce Hall and Tavierre Thomas from New York and Houston to their secondary.

Buccaneers 2024 depth chart: Safety

Among the Buccaneers' greatest priorities this offseason was to re-sign superstar free safety Antoine Winfield to a long-term contract. While Winfield Jr. and Tampa Bay haven't come to terms on a long-term deal, the Buccaneers placed the franchise tag on Winfield Jr., keeping him on the team through the 2024 season.

In free agency, the Buccaneers reunited Winfield Jr. with a familiar face in the secondary, signing Jordan Whitehead to a two-year, $9 million deal. After playing in Tampa for his first four seasons in the league, Whitehead joined New York for the next two seasons before returning to Raymond James Stadium.

Coming off a season with 97 tackles, three tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, and four interceptions, Whitehead will pair with Winfield Jr. to form one of the best safety duos in the league. Outside of those two, Christian Izien and Kaevon Merriweather are the primary backups, and are followed by undrafted free agents Marcus Banks and Rashad Wisdom.

Special Teams

As the old saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". This proved to be true regarding the Buccaneers' special teams unit, as no major changes were made during the offseason. Tampa Bay did re-sign Chase McLaughlin to a three-year, $12.3 contract, keeping the star kicker a Buccaneer through the 2026 season. This past season, McLaughlin made 29 of 31 field goal attempts and a perfect 33-33 mark on extra-point attempts, both career-bests.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is set to have Jake Carmada run it back as the team's starting punter after a solid second season. Starting in all 17 games, Carmada punted the ball for 3,173 net yards, 41.2 net yards per punt, 26 punts inside the 20-yard line, and a season and career-long punt of 74 yards, per Sports Reference.

Finally, speedy wide receiver Deven Thompkins will handle the kick and punt return duties for Tampa Bay. This past season, Thompkins thrived as the Buccaneers' primary return specialist, playing in all 17 games and returning 16 kickoffs for 327 yards and 25 punts for 234 yards.

It's worth noting the former ranked 14th in the NFL, a major improvement from his rookie season.

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