Best and Worst Graded Buccaneers Defensive Players vs. Saints Week 18

The best and worst-graded Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive players in their NFC South-clinching win against the New Orleans Saints, per Pro Football Focus.

Oct 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA;Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) runs out of the tunnel before the game Baltimore Ravens at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Much of the attention surrounding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 18 surrounded the franchise winning the NFC South for a fourth consecutive year, much of that focus turned once the game was in hand and wide receiver Mike Evans needed just five more yards to reach his 11th-consecutive season of 1,000-yards receiving.

He reached that milestone, tying Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, and the Buccaneers walked off with a 27-19 NFC South-clinching, history making win vs. the Saints.

As has been the case since their bye week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense has struggled to begin a game before locking down in the second half to limit the opposing offense. The Bucs' defense allowed 16 first half points to the injury riddled Saints' offense before making adjustments in the second half that limited them to just three points.

The Saints found success early running the ball outside and utilized the Bucs' off coverage to run receivers on out routes that allowed for easy completions from Rattler. That changed in the second as the Bucs got back to business. The defense got into the backfield, sacking Rattler twice and limited the Saints to just 64 total rushing yards on the day.

Here is how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive players graded out in their 23-19 division-clinching win over the New Orleans Saints, per PFF:

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Highest Graded:

1. LB Lavonte David

Jan 5, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Dallin Holker (85) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) in the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images / Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 73.8

2. NT Greg Gaines

Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Greg Gaines (96) and defensive end William Gholston (92) celebrate after a sack against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 70.9

3. DT Vita Vea

Dec 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) reacts after Carolina Panthers place kicker Eddy Pineiro (4) misses an extra point during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 70.7

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4. CB Tykee Smith

Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith (23) celebrates an interception of a ball intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) with cornerback Tyrek Funderburk (24) and linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (9) during the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images / Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 69.7

5. FS Kaevon Merriweather

Dec 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Kaevon Merriweather (26) breaks up a pass to Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 68.9

Lowest Graded:

1. LB K.J. Britt

Sep 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt (52) runs out of the tunnel as they are introduced before the game Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 51.5

2. RE Calijah Kancey

Dec 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (94) rushes during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 52.7

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3. OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (9) gestures after a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 52.8

4. LE Logan Hall

Dec 15, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Chris Braswell (43), linebacker Lavonte David (54) and defensive end Logan Hall (90) celebrate after a sack of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 53.0

5. OLB Yaya Diaby

Jan 5, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby (0) celebrates after getting a stop in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images / Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 54.6

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