Buccaneers Reportedly Consider Veteran Safeties Simmons, Blackmon Ahead Training Camp

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are showing confidence in their defense despite lingering fan concerns, particularly around the secondary and inside linebacker positions. The team has made key offseason moves including signing edge rusher Haason Reddick and drafting two cornerbacks, but notably did not draft a safety, which remains a major area of need following the injury-plagued 2024 season that saw All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. miss significant time. To address this, experts suggest the Buccaneers consider signing veteran safeties like Julian Blackmon or Justin Simmons, both of whom offer experience and ball-hawking abilities that could complement Winfield Jr. and improve the defense's zone coverage, which was heavily utilized last season. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers added offensive firepower by drafting Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round, aiming to bolster their receiving corps alongside established stars Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. General manager Jason Licht is active in reshaping the roster with a focus on both defense and offense to push beyond division titles and make a stronger Super Bowl push.