Buccaneers Sign Dynamic Safety Expected to Start in 2023

The newest Buccaneers' safety received rave reviews from the analytics community based on his breakout performance in 2022.

Just when you begin to think that Buccaneers' GM, Jason Licht is all out of ammunition, he seems to find a way to add more talent to his football team.

This is especially true in free agency. Where, despite being extremely strapped for cash this offseason, he's managed to re-sign some integral pieces, such as Lavonte David, Jamel Dean, and Anthony Nelson. He's also managed to bring in some new faces, like Baker Mayfield, Chase Edmunds, and Greg Gaines. 

Early Tuesday evening, it was reported that the Buccaneers agreed to terms with Ryan Neal, a talented safety coming off a career year in Seattle. 

Former #Seahawks safety Ryan Neal has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the #Bucs, source tells @theScore.

Legitimate starting caliber player who put together very solid tape in Seattle last season. Only 27 years old.

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 4, 2023

Neal was undrafted coming out of Southern Illinois in 2018, and after spending time with the Eagles and Falcons during his rookie season, he settled into a steady role with the Seahawks from 2019-2022.

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Neal has good size, listed at 6'3", 200 pounds. He really started to make a name for himself when Seattle's roster began to turn over in recent years. 2022 was his breakout campaign, though — Neal gained an opportunity when Jamal Adams was injured — where his versatility and steady play earned him league-wide recognition.

New #Bucs Safety Ryan Neal was a do at it all DB aligning at multiple spots.He totaled 330 snaps in the box, 227 at free safety & 102 in the slot.He finished with 66 tackles a sack, an INT & 6 PBU’s & also plays ST. Neal was PFF’s top safety in 2022. pic.twitter.com/JMOR6PhuNB

— JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL) April 4, 2023

Neal received an impressive PFF grade of 85.6 last season, which according to Greg Auman, made him the fourth-highest-graded safety in the league. Jordan Schultz of The Score reported that Neal even received some All-Pro votes for his efforts last season. 

Neal's size, versatility, and efficient play should fit really nicely alongside the Buccaneers' star safety, Antoine Winfield Jr. With both outside cornerbacks, Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis, locked up for the foreseeable future, it appears as though Todd Bowles' secondary is really beginning to take shape.

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This is an excellent move for the Buccaneers. Not only does adding another high-quality DB help to reinforce the back end of this defense, but it also provides the Bucs with more flexibility heading into the NFL draft. They will now feel less pressure to reach on a safety or nickel corner. Not to mention, based on Neal's breakout performance last season, it's a bit of a surprise they were able to sign him to just a 1-year deal. 

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