Buccaneers coach confirms suspicion regarding new draft pick's potential position

The Buccaneers have two outstanding safeties in 2023 first-team All-Pro Antoine Winfield, Jr., who was franchise tagged in March, and Jordan Whitehead, who returned to Tampa Bay in free agency after two years in New York.  Provided, of course, that Winfield, Jr. either signs the tag or reaches a long-term deal with the team in the offseason. 

As such, Smith's best chance of getting on the field early is win the battle for the nickel job.  He'll have to take it from Christian Izien, who won the job last preseason as a rookie. Izien appeared in all 17 games and both playoff games, totaling 65 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 2 interceptions.  The team also added former Texans cornerback Taviere Thomas, who will also be in the competition for the job. 

Smith should have better than a puncher's chance at the job given his skills as both a pass rusher and in coverage.  Last year against SEC competition, he tallied 8.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 4 interceptions for the Bulldogs.  His combination of pressuring the backfield off the edge and making plays in coverage is intriguing. 

As such, we'll see if he can make it two rookies in two years to snatch the starting nickel corner job when the preseason concludes in late August.