Best and Worst Graded Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Players vs. San Francisco 49ers

The best and worst-graded Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive players in their heartbreaking loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Sep 22, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby (0) is introduced before a game against the Denver Broncos at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense has been on the struggle bus lately, and that continued again on Sunday as they allowed the San Francisco 49ers to drive down the field on the final possession to set up a game-winning, walk-off field goal. The field goal ultimately made its way through the uprights and the 49ers left Tampa Bay with their third such loss on the season.

For much of the game, the defense was able to bend and not break and forced 49ers' kicker Jake Moody to miss three field goals, but it was the big plays and sustained drives that ultimately led to their demise. The same glaring holes we have talked about once again showed as linebackers struggled in coverage and the depth of the secondary allowed big plays and touchdowns.

There seems to be minimal improvement from the unit week-to-week but they are still searching for that cohesiveness as a unit to put a better sample on the field. Here is how the Buccaneers' defense graded out in their heartbreaking loss to the 49ers.

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Highest Graded:

1. OLB Yaya Diaby

Oct 27, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby (0) reacts after a safety against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 73.9

2. SS Jordan Whitehead

Sep 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (3) warms up before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 72.8

3. MLB K.J. Britt

Oct 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tanner Knue (80) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt (52) tackles during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 71.2

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4. DE Calijah Kancey

Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (94) knocks th bell loose from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 70.4

5. NCB Christian Izien

Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA;San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) drops back as Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Christian Izien (29) pressures during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 70.3

Lowest Graded:

1. CB Zyon McCollum

Sep 22, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) is introduced before a game against the Denver Broncos at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 30.9

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2. FS Antoine Winfield Jr.

Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) defends during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 45.8

3. DT Greg Gaines

Sep 22, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Greg Gaines (96) is introduced before a game against the Denver Broncos at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 49.1

4. MLB J.J. Russell

Sep 15, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker J.J. Russell (51) looks on before their game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Eamon Horwedel-Imagn Images / Eamon Horwedel-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 51.9

5. DE Anthony Nelson

Oct 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Anthony Nelson (98) celebrates after a sack against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 54.1

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