On the surface, Tykee Smith and Antoine Winfield Jr. occupy the same position for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at safety, but the similarities go deeper. Smith, now stepping into a larger role in 2025, is showing signs of developing the same kind of impact that Winfield has built his reputation on.Smith has already logged 58 total tackles through the 2025 season and is among the team leaders in solo tackles. Winfield, by contrast, has consistently posted high tackle totals over his career, and in 2023 notched 122 tackles among other big numbers (Winfield was fairly injured and not 100% in 2024).
Both players show the ability to be around the football everywhere: run support, underneath coverage, and blitz looks.Smith has two sacks so far in 2025 and seven passes defended, showing he isn’t just reactive but also creating plays in crucial moments. Winfield has made his mark as a playmaker: historically, he’s collected sacks, forced fumbles, and interceptions, showing a multi-dimensional threat. The blueprint? A safety who can cover, tackle, blitz, and cause turnovers.
Smith is trending right toward that. Smith (5′10″, 202 lbs.) and Winfield (5′9″, 203 lbs.) share a similar build and physical profile. Winfield has thrived in the Bucs’ defensive scheme, which uses safeties aggressively in the box, on blitzes, and in single-high and two-high looks. Smith appears to be stepping into a similar “chess piece” role.
Smith’s performance metrics show that when given the opportunity, he can fill the gaps in run support and make plays around the line of scrimmage, something Winfield has done at a high level. Having two safeties who can operate like Winfield means the Buccaneers can disguise coverages, send unexpected pressures, and rely on the second level of the defense to make game-changing plays. Smith’s emergence means the Bucs are building depth and sustaining the style of play that Winfield made elite.Yes, the comparison is legitimate.
Tykee Smith isn’t Antoine Winfield Jr. (yet) in terms of accolades or sustained elite production. But he is showing the same blueprint: tackling with authority, defending the pass, and making disruptive plays. The punchouts, knocking the ball out at the last second, and flying into the backfield for sacks and TFL.
If he keeps trending this way, Smith could evolve into a safety of Winfield-type stature, giving Tampa Bay a potent one-two punch in the defensive backfield.