Hear what third-round pick Tykee Smith had to say to the media after being selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added another dynamic playmaker to their secondary Friday, spending the No. 89 overall pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft on Georgia defensive back Tykee Smith.
A versatile defender who can line up in the slot or at safety, Smith was a big-play machine for the Bulldogs, creating tons of splash plays in coverage, against the run, and as a pass rusher on the blitz.
Watch the video above to see what Smith had to say to the media after he was selected by the Bucs.
Hear what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting in all three of their Day 2 picks in the 2024 NFL draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added three more talented players to their roster Friday, filling needs on both sides of the ball on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft.
Alabama edge defender Chris Braswell was the Bucs’ second-round pick at No. 57 overall, followed by Georgia defensive back Tykee Smith (No. 89 overall) and Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan (No. 92 overall) in the third round.
Watch the video above to see Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek break down Tampa Bay’s Day 2 selections.
Smith will bring a diverse skill set to the Buccaneers, as he played both safety and Georgia’s nickel safety/linebacker hybrid role.
The Georgia Bulldogs had another defensive player come off the board in the 2024 NFL draft when defensive back Tykee Smith was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 89th pick.
Smith began his career at West Virginia, where he played for two years and was a freshman all-American in 2019 and second-team all-Big 12 in 2020. He recorded 111 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions over two years with the Mountaineers. He transferred to Georgia to follow Jahmile Addae, his position coach at WVU.
Smith struggled initially to fit into the Bulldogs system and then battled injuries during his first two years before putting it all together in his senior season with the Dawgs. Smith had 70 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and four interceptions from the star position for the Bulldogs.
Smith will bring a diverse skill set to the Buccaneers. He played both safety and Georgia’s nickel safety/linebacker hybrid role and can be moved to various positions across the defense. He joins a safety room featuring pro bowler Antoine Winfield and Jordan Whitehead in Tampa.
Check out the top highlights from new Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added a hard-hitting playmaker for their defensive backfield Friday night, spending the No. 89 overall pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft on Georgia safety Tykee Smith.
Smith was a big-play machine for the Bulldogs throughout his career, and brings the versatility to line up at multiple spots in the secondary, which makes him a great fit for Todd Bowles’ defense.
Watch the video above to see some of Smith’s best plays from his college career.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected Georgia safety Tykee Smith in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added some depth to their secondary in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft, selecting Georgia safety Tykee Smith with the No. 89 overall pick.
Smith is a hard-hitting defender with the versatility to line up in the slot, as a deep safety, or down in the box. He’s a big-play machine who can create big plays in coverage, as well as get after the passer as an extra rusher in blitz packages.
The Bucs brought back Jordan Whitehead to pair with All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr. on the back end of the defense, but they’ve learned that depth in the secondary is a must. Smith will give them that, with tons of playmaking upside.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are visiting with Georgia safety Tykee Smith ahead of the 2024 NFL draft
More Pre-Draft visits: — #Georgia S Tykee Smith, who has been buzzing over the last few weeks, is on a visit to the #Bucs today. — #PSU edge Chop Robinson will be at the #Commanders tomorrow. — #Kentucky LB Trevin Wallace will be at the #49ers today and tomorrow. https://t.co/moDmtwBUSo
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still hard at work in the final days before the 2024 NFL draft, meeting with top prospects as they put the finishing touches on their draft board.
One prospect currently on their radar is Georgia safety Tykee Smith, who is spending time at One Buc Place on an official visit this week, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
An undersized but instinctive defender who packs a punch despite his smaller frame, Smith has the athleticism and versatility to be a strong fit in Todd Bowles’ defense, and his competitiveness is sure to win over any NFL coaching staff.
The Bucs brought back Jordan Whitehead to line up alongside first-team All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr. at safety, but they could still use more depth at the position, and Smith could be a potential target in the middle rounds.
Pro Football Focus has pinpointed a couple of Georgia prospects as the best fits for the Seahawks on Days 2-3 of the draft.
The 2024 NFL draft is now just a week and a few sleepless nights away for all 32 teams and their fans. The Seattle Seahawks have put together two strong draft classes in a row and could set themselves up to finally re-enter true contender territory if they can manage a third.
What they do in Round 1 will obviously have a big impact on their bottom line, but they’ll also need to hit the right notes on Day 2 and 3 if they’re going to catch up with the heavyweights around the NFC. With that in mind, Pro Football Focus has pinpointed a couple of Georgia prospects as the best fits for the Seahawks on Days 2-3 of the draft.
“Seattle doesn’t have a second-round pick. They desperately need help on the offensive line. Georgia’s Sedrick Van Pran is an ultra-reliable, if unspectacular, center who finished eighth in the nation in overall grade in 2023. He allowed just one sack and one hit as a pass protector during his college career, so he would at least partially stabilize the team’s interior protection.”
Van Pran (6-foot-4, 310 pounds) started the last three seasons at center for the Bulldogs and would likely project as the starter for the Seahawks if they should draft him.
“Smith is the type of player that defensive coordinators who like moveable playmakers will see a lot of potential in. He finished 2023 with 27 tackles resulting in a defensive stop, and even if he doesn’t stick as a rotational defender in the NFL, his play style should allow him to make an impact on special teams.”
Smith (5-foot-10, 205 pounds) earned an excellent grade from PFF last season for his coverage at 85.8. That ranked him 15th in the nation at his position. Smith would project primarily as a special teams contributor as a rookie, most likely sliding in at No. 5 on the depth chart beneath Julian Love, Rayshawn Jenkins, K’Von Wallace and Jerrick Reed II.
The Philadelphia Eagles are retooling and we’ve unveiled are fourth Eagles Wire 2024 NFL Mock draft of the offseason and after the scouting combine
The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine is a wrap, and the results could significantly impact what happens when the 2024 NFL Draft rolls around at the end of next month.
Like every team in the league, the Philadelphia Eagles closely watched this week’s action at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis as they lock in their draft board.
Philadelphia currently set to have six selections in this year’s draft, and are also projected to receive four compensatory selections, which would give them ten altogether.
Here’s an updated look at how all seven rounds could turn out for the Eagles via the PFF Mock Draft simulator.
Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Tykee Smith makes waves at the NFL combine
Georgia Bulldogs safety Tykee Smith is one of the better safety prospects in the 2024 NFL draft. Smith helped his draft stock with an impressive day at the NFL scouting combine.
Smith, who was named as the MVP of the American Team at the Senior Bowl, recorded a 36-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot broad jump at the NFL combine.
Last season, Tykee Smith primarily played slot cornerback for Georgia. Smith, who transferred to Georgia from West Virginia several seasons ago, was one of Georgia’s most disruptive defenders. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, native finished the 2023 college football season with four interceptions, two sacks, and 70 tackles.
The 5-foot-10, 205-pound defensive back ran an impressive 4.46 second time in the 40-yard dash:
Georgia S Tykee Smith thrived playing in the slot for the Bulldogs. What do his 2024 NFL Draft prospects look like?
Welcome to SKOL Search!
This series will be your guide to the 2024 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.
The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at quarterback, running back, defensive line and edge rusher. We will also focus on wide receiver since it’s a loaded class and an increased chance to get a Stefon Diggs-type steal in the later rounds.
The Vikings are slated to have 9 picks going into the NFL draft and they need to make the most out of them.
