Defensive struggles have plagued the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with last season's interception count dropping to an alarming low of seven. Coach Todd Bowles emphasized the need to bolster cornerback depth, especially after trading Carlton Davis and facing injuries to players like Jamel Dean and Bryce Hall. The Bucs are poised to address their defensive needs in the upcoming draft, targeting standout cornerbacks such as Michigan's Will Johnson and Texas' Jahdae Barron.

Dean's underwhelming performance and injury history have raised concerns, leading to discussions about necessary improvements. The Bucs have limited depth in their secondary, relying heavily on inexperienced players. With promising prospects available, including Barron—who excelled in interceptions during his collegiate career—the Bucs must capitalize on this draft to revitalize their defense and return to playoff contention.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced significant challenges in their secondary during the 2024 season due to injuries, most notably losing cornerback Bryce Hall for the year in the season opener. Star safety Antoine Winfield Jr. also dealt with ongoing injury issues. As a result, the Buccaneers ranked poorly in passing defense, allowing 243.9 yards per game, fourth-most in the league. Recognizing the need for improvement, the Bucs made strategic moves in free agency, including signing linebacker Haason Reddick to bolster their pass rush.

Moreover, the Bucs are focusing on building a solid foundation for their defense, retaining key players like Hall, Kaevon Merriweather, and Lavonte David. With the No. 19 pick in the upcoming draft, there are expectations that they could select Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron, a versatile player adept at various defensive roles. Barron’s impressive college career, highlighted by the Jim Thorpe Award, makes him a promising addition to a secondary in need of depth and performance improvements.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their dominance in the NFC South by clinching the division title for the fourth straight season, but their performance in pass defense raised significant concerns. Ranking 30th in the NFL for passing yards allowed, the Buccaneers also struggled with interceptions and completion percentage, with opponents completing 66.4% of their passes. Injuries played a significant role, sidelining key defensive backs throughout the season. However, rookie Tykee Smith emerged as a promising player, earning recognition as a potential breakout star for 2025.

Despite the underwhelming performance of the Buccaneers' defense, there are reasons for optimism going into next season, particularly with the development of young talent like Smith. His impressive run-defense grade and ability to contribute significantly highlight the organization’s strength in drafting and talent development.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing a significant health crisis this season, with over half of their starting roster sidelined at various points. The secondary has been particularly hard-hit, losing key players like Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jamel Dean, the latter missing games due to a hamstring injury since Week 6.

Without Dean, the Buccaneers have suffered four consecutive losses, highlighting the team's lack of depth at cornerback. Fortunately, Dean is nearing a return, with optimism surrounding his comeback as the team enters a crucial stretch of games.

This season, several NFL players with ties to Virginia have made notable contributions to their teams. Players like Joey Blount of the Arizona Cardinals and Tremaine Edmunds of the Chicago Bears have seen varying levels of action, with some starting games and others primarily contributing on special teams.

In addition, several players are currently on injured reserve or have not yet appeared in games, such as Hendon Hooker of the Detroit Lions and Dalton Keene of the Houston Texans. Overall, the impact of these Virginia-connected players is being closely monitored as the season progresses.