The Buccaneers chose defense over offense in round two of last night’s NFL draft, taking Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr. with the 45th overall pick. The junior Winfield is the son of former NFL Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield, Sr.
While Tampa Bay could’ve taken a running back at 45, the chance to draft the ball-hawking Winfield was just too good an opportunity to pass up. Tampa Bay’s secondary was one of the league’s worst last year, so adding a guy like Winfield to a group that includes cornerbacks Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean should help them take a major step forward in 2020.
After the selection, John Spytek, Bucs Director of Player Personnel, praised Winfield’s ability to be a difference maker on the field.
Bucs Director of Player Personnel John Spytek on new Bucs S Antoine Winfield, Jr.: "I always think the safeties show themselves right away when you start watching tape because they can be involved in everything, and you put on the tape and he's just everywhere on the field."
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) April 25, 2020
If you want to see video evidence of what Spytek is talking about, the Golden Gophers have you covered.
Literally. Everywhere. https://t.co/ZbrrujUlTX pic.twitter.com/dIP7elTkpQ
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) April 25, 2020
[lawrence-related id=31539,31532,31527,31520]