Eighth-Best NFL Safety
September 30th, 2022
Mike Edwards
No defensive backs unit has played better than the Bucs’, highlighted by a versatile and interchangeable three-headed monster at safety/slot cornerback.
Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan and Antoine Winfield, Jr. have been downright dangerous in their play — and in their ability to disguise coverages since they all play different positions on any given snap.
NextGen Stats, the objective and technology-driven data culled from tracking of NFL game equipment, delivers metrics that often hurt Joe’s beer-soaked brain. But the NextGen analytics team at NFL.com compiled tackling, coverage and pass-rush data on safety play through Week 3 and concluded Edwards is the eighth-best safety in the NFL.
Not bad for a guy on the bench last season.
Here’s a snippet of their analysis:
… … Edwards has aligned in various spots this season (56 percent of snaps at deep safety, 14 percent as slot CB, 16 percent as off-ball LB) and succeeded in all of them. His 11 defensive stops are tied for second-most among all defensive backs, trailing only Talanoa Hufanga’s 14. But Edwards has also made an impact through the air, as offenses targeting him as the nearest defender have a total of -8.9 expected points added in 2022 (third-lowest among safeties, behind only Minkah Fitzpatrick and Eddie Jackson). The Buccaneers boast the NFL’s No. 1 scoring defense in 2022, allowing a mere 9.0 points per game, and Edwards’ emergence is an inarguable reason why.
The versatility of the Bucs’ safety/nickel trio really impresses Joe. What great coaching and next-level management by Todd Bowles’ defensive team.
Combined with the growth of cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis, Sean Murphy-Bunting has been relegated to the bench as the No. 4 cornerback with bone-crushing former Pro Bowl safety Keanu Neal backing up the safeties.
Now that’s depth!
September 30th, 2022 at 7:00 am
I was down on him beginning of season but I would give him D MVP last few games and D player of the month over White.
September 30th, 2022 at 7:29 am
I read that article. I was expecting to see Antoine Winfield Jr. somewhere near the top – he didn’t make the cut. Is his official postion listed as “slot-corner”?
September 30th, 2022 at 7:29 am
We will have difficulty signing Dean, Edwards, SMB & Nelson to long term contracts….
My priority would be Dean, Edwards, Nelson and then SMB…would love to have all 4….
September 30th, 2022 at 7:37 am
I have always worried about a lack of top end speed but the guy is just a real good football player !!! Great Scouting of him in college !!!
September 30th, 2022 at 8:00 am
Love Winfield but he had a bad game last Sunday. Don’t see the love for SMB, what has he done this season?
September 30th, 2022 at 8:02 am
Imagine if Whitehead was still here
September 30th, 2022 at 8:12 am
Maybe it’s me but does Jamie Erdhal make GMFB tough to watch? Loud and annoying.
September 30th, 2022 at 8:14 am
The experience Edwards got last season filling in for injured Whitehead & SMB is apparently paying off.
September 30th, 2022 at 8:30 am
I read the title and asked myself where’s Logan Ryan.
September 30th, 2022 at 9:27 am
Man, when the offense finally gets going it’s going to be great to watch this defense play with a lead. They’ve done such a great job forcing turnovers and it seems like Bowles is using all his guys to the best of their abilities. The addition of Ryan has been very impactful but it’s also great to see this unit perform so well bc they’re mostly home grown. We invested a lot of draft capital in this secondary and they’re all finally playing together and it’s beautiful. Great job by the Bucs staff.
September 30th, 2022 at 10:48 am
Amazing. In one year, the secondary has turned from a weak link (those Lost Decade secondaries highlighted by Alterraun Verner and Vernon Hardgreaves will give me PTSD for the rest of my life) to the team’s strong point. Salute to Bowles for producing three genius defensive game plans to start the year and to getting rid of an issue that this team had forever. Our best addition so far has been Logan Ryan, and sadly, letting Jordan Whitehead go might be a blessing in disguise (Edwards is so much better at coverage). Sitting SMB has also been a game changer. If the offense figures things out, which I think they will this week, this is the most talented team we’ve ever had. SB bound.
September 30th, 2022 at 10:49 am
The Logan Ryan pick up was huge because of the experience he brings. This core of defensive backs, Winfield & Edwards are good but Ryan is the one that makes them great. As a veteran he’s brought a lot of knowledge that’s obviously made a difference, so far. This next game is gonna really test our D especially the secondary. Bring it on! LFG
September 30th, 2022 at 10:51 am
@bigpoppabuc. Love the take. Home grown. That’s how you build long lasting success in the NFL, just ask NE or KC. Davis, Dean, Winfield, Edwards, White, JTS, Vita Vea… half of our league-leading defense was drafted by JL. This team has changed thanks to Brady, Arians and Licht (who went from bad to top 5 GM in like a month).
Also game changers on offense drafted by him: Evans, Godwin, Wirfs, Smith, Hainsey…
September 30th, 2022 at 11:29 am
The Logan Ryan pick up was huge because of the experience he brings. This core of defensive backs, Winfield jr & Edwards are good but Ryan is the one that makes them great. As a veteran he’s brought a lot of knowledge that’s made a difference so far. This next game against KC is gonna really test our D especially the secondary. Bring it on! LFG
September 30th, 2022 at 12:08 pm
And I’ve been saying it since 2020, Edwards is our best safety. All he’s done is prove me right week after week. Last week he was lined up at LB and came in and filled and hit stuck the RB on play up the middle. He’ll stick his head in there too. He’s a stud.
September 30th, 2022 at 4:02 pm
I can’t imagine how anyone could have been down on Edwards… all the guy has done is make plays when he’s in the game. Every single year.
Stoked for him to get the opportunity to play as a starter this season.
October 1st, 2022 at 3:22 pm
If only the offense can get their act together and actually do something productive, this team would be 3-0 and downright scary.