Antoine Winfield Not Overlooked
June 19th, 2023
Baller.
This was sort of surprising to Joe only because this Bucs stud sort of had an off year last season — for his standards.
Bucs safety Antoine Winfield was used more as a nickel corner last year than in years past and that hurt his peformance, and he was battling a concussion (at least one).
Still, former Giants and Eagles beat guy and NFL columnist for Heavy.com Matt Lombardo selected Winfield as one of his two top safeties in the NFC.
S: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Winfield Jr. is an ascending talent at the safety position, who could see more opportunities to create turnovers as head coach Todd Bowles dials up the pressure via the blitz this season. Moving to free safety this season could create more opportunities for Winfield to flash in coverage, where he held opposing receivers to just 10.5 Yards per Reception in 2022. If the Buccaneers’ defense bounces back, and Winfield plays a starring role, don’t be surprised when he winds up being an impact player this season.
Joe agrees with Lombardo. Winfield is due to return to being one of the best safeties in the game. He was a Pro Bowler and a big reason why the Bucs won a Super Bowl.
(Lombardo seems to be projecting as he mentioned how Winfield is poised to get more turnovers by playing free safety this fall).
In short, Winfield is a baller; that’s all there is to it.
Surprising about Lombardo’s column is that he didn’t list Tristan Wirfs as his best right tackle. Joe isn’t sure if that’s because Wirfs is moving to left tackle or not.
June 19th, 2023 at 4:24 am
Will be difficult with the declined D-line. No Suh or JPP equals struggling defense.
June 19th, 2023 at 6:53 am
He’ll be injured and out for 6 weeks by game 3. He might be too small and fragile by NFL standards. Tough dude. Smart guy. But the injuries. Just too many.
June 19th, 2023 at 7:31 am
Licht has struggled grEATLY with his second round picks….but not this one…
June 19th, 2023 at 1:04 pm
Yep he’s definitely one of the tone setters of the defense.
June 19th, 2023 at 1:18 pm
2nd round picks under Licht:
ASJ ❌
D Smith ✅
A Marpet ✅
N Spence (career cut short due to injuries)
R Agauyo ❌
RoJo (productive when he was finally used)
MJ Stewart ❌
Carlton Davis ✅
SMB ✅
J Dean ✅
A Winfield ✅
Too early to say on Trask, Hall or Goedke.
But he’s hit on at least half, which is better than most GMs.
June 19th, 2023 at 1:18 pm
One of the best – if not THE best – tackler on defense
June 19th, 2023 at 6:39 pm
Our D Line will be better this year and Winfield will have at least 5 picks on the season.
Batted balls will return this year with Kancey and Gaines.
Hopefully Hall realizes getting his hands up is an effort play and only takes your brain to do.
Suh and JPP couldn’t help this team win this year.
I’m glad they are gone turn the page and move on.
We have better pieces than you guys think.
Our D will keep us in games and has a chance to be Top 5.
June 20th, 2023 at 12:03 am
Winfield is most definately All Pro material at safety. Hope that the concussion issues are behind him. If he can get some picks early it will make all the QBs we face this year think twice about throwing deep into coverage.