The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not entering the draft looking to overhaul their secondary, but depth and role flexibility remain important as the defense continues to evolve. In Todd Bowles’ system, defensive backs are asked to communicate, play with discipline in zone coverage, and contribute on special teams when needed.
The Shrine Bowl provided an evaluation setting to identify defensive backs whose physical profiles and play styles align with rotational, sub-package, and depth roles rather than immediate starting expectations.
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Zone Awareness and Positional Flexibility
Jadon Canady, Andre Fuller, and Devon Marshall each bring profiles that align well with zone-based defensive structures. Canady’s compact frame and quickness support nickel and off-coverage responsibilities, while Fuller offers a more balanced skill set that translates to boundary depth and special teams value. Marshall’s size and length provide matchup flexibility against bigger receivers, making him a viable depth option in packages where physicality is prioritized over pure man-coverage traits. None of these players is framed as a shutdown corner, but each projects as a defender capable of executing assignments within structure.
Safety Depth and Sub-Package Utility
At safety, Avery Smith and Bryce Phillips profile as depth options whose value extends beyond coverage snaps alone. Smith’s size and play strength support box and special teams roles, while Phillips offers range and experience operating in split-safety looks. In Bowles’ defense, safeties are frequently rotated based on personnel groupings and game situations, making versatility and communication as important as raw athleticism. These profiles align more closely with depth planning than long-term lineup changes.
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Why the Shrine Bowl Matters for Secondary Depth
Player
Position
College
Height
Weight
Hand
Arm
Wingspan
Jadon Canady
CB
Oregon
5’10”
175 lbs
9 3/8”
30 0/8”
73 2/8”
Andre Fuller
CB
Toledo
6’0”
201 lbs
9 0/8”
30 6/8”
75 6/8”
Devon Marshall
CB
NC State
5’10”
197 lbs
8 6/8”
30 5/8”
75 3/8”
Avery Smith
CB
Toledo
5’10”
195 lbs
8 2/8”
29 2/8”
72 0/8”
Bryce Phillips
SAF
Louisville
6’0”
212 lbs
9 2/8”
31 0/8”
73 0/8”
Defensive back evaluations at the Shrine Bowl emphasize communication, spacing, and adaptability in a condensed practice environment. For Tampa Bay, that context matters. The Buccaneers do not need immediate starters in the secondary, but they do need cost-controlled depth capable of handling defined roles without creating coverage breakdowns, as well as smart contributors on special teams. The defensive backs highlighted here fit that approach, projecting as realistic late-round or undrafted additions who can support roster stability and contribute on special teams.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Shrine Bowl defensive backs who fit as Bucs depth options