The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapped up the final non-padded practice of training camp on Sunday and now the real work begins Monday when the pads come on.
This is when we can really start analyzing camp developments and what they mean moving forward. But until everything kicks off on Monday let's dive into what we've learned about the Bucs defense through the non-padded portion of training camp.
What we've learned about the Bucs defense through the first four training camp practices
1. Antoine Winfield Jr. is healthy and ready for a bounce back year
One of the biggest storylines heading into 2025 is whether or not Antoine Winfield Jr. returns to form and boy, it literally took the first practice for him to produce multiple interceptions that would've made Sportscenter if they happened a game.
Antoine Winfield makes an incredible interception on the sideline with Zyon McCollum tipping the ball in coverage on Mike Evans. Winfield kept two feet in to complete the INT.
Winfield on the NEXT play intercepts Baker Mayfield again biting on Mike Evans’ route.
Have a day… pic.twitter.com/lnU5kzfCYj— Logan B. Robinson (@LogansTwitty) July 23, 2025
"I'm feeling good. My body feels good, [I'm] flying around and just having fun," Winfield Jr. told reporters on Friday. "You know, it's just about coming out here, putting in the work and having fun with it."
He had a would-be sack on Day 3, as well. Sure, it's still t-shirts and shorts, but the fact Winfield Jr. already looks like his old self is a major boost for the Bucs defense and it should only get better as time goes on.
"I just gotta continue to build off that and try to make at least one splash play a day," said Winfield Jr. "Because I know when it comes game time, that's what I'm going to be trying to do the whole time. So you just have to continue making those splash plays."
2. The defense is making plays whether it's sacks, interceptions, or getting its hands on the football
As mentioned above, Winfield Jr. had a spectacular Day 1 with two highlight-reel-worthy interceptions. Per reports, Bryce Hall had a pick-six that day and nearly had another on Day 2.
Speaking of Day 2, those on site reported Yaya Diaby would've had not one, not two, but three sacks on the second day of camp. Yes, it's t-shirts and shorts, but that's still worthy of discussion. He even got his hands on a pass at one point. Chris Braswell also got in the backfield for multiple sacks.
Yaya Diaby or Darelle Revis ???? pic.twitter.com/VUCSe7vtz5
— Super Spicy Bucs Memes (@SSBucsMemes) July 24, 2025
Plenty of secondary players got their hands on the football on Day 2, as well. On top of Winfield Jr.'s two picks on Day 1, veteran cornerback Bryce Hall also snagged a pick-six off a Connor Bazelak pass attempt.
“‘Tweeze’ (Antoine Winfield Jr.) got me yesterday,” Baker Mayfield told reporters on Day 2. “I just think all the DBs as a whole, they’re doing a really, really good job at disguising coverages. The young guys, you can tell they’re bringing them up to speed pretty quick on how to hide stuff and then show it late. They’re doing a good job of breaking on passes and making plays."
On Day 3, Kindle Vildor recorded an interception off Bazelak, Kaevon Merriweather picked off Kyle Trask, and then Christian Izien had a nice PBU on a ball from Trask that was intended for Dennis Houston, per reports. It's been a party from the top-down in the defense.
Next up was Tykee Smith on Day 4, who made picked off a sideline pass in goal line work, per reports. There have been plenty of other guys making plays, but I think the message has been conveyed, at this point.
“That has been the biggest thing [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles has been appreciative of is trying to get as many turnovers as possible," Bucs safety Tykee Smith told reporters on Day 3 of camp. "So, I think have been doing a good job of preaching and trying to put emphasis on that.”
3. The decision to have the whole secondary meet together is paying off
One of the most underrated, yet important, storylines of this season is the fact the entire secondary now meets as one group instead of splitting off into cornerbacks and safeties in past years.
Miscommunication has led to plenty of breakdowns in the back end over the years and the idea to put everyone in on room should help minimize that pretty drastically.
So far, it's working.
"We are in the same room now, so we are able to have better communication that way." said Winfield Jr. "CB Bryce [Hall] has been balling, he is the comeback [route] merchant. I mean, he has probably had two pick-sixes already. He has been doing a great job. The rookies are great too. They are picking up the system still, but it is just about bringing them along, and just carrying them, and letting them know they have to put that work in."
We already mentioned the big plays made by Winfield Jr., Hall, Morrison, and others in the first few days. Bowles really wanted to get back to playing a more physical style of pass defense and everyone needs to be on the same page for that to happen.
If the Bucs can make it work, then it's easy to see this unit getting back into the top-10 status in 2025.
"I just think all the defensive backs as a whole, they are doing a really, really good job at disguising coverages," said Mayfield. "And the young guys you can tell they are bringing them up to speed pretty quick on how to hide stuff and show it late. So, they are doing a good job breaking on passes, making plays, and so on. . . those guys just mess with your head."
4. Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish are showing out during the early portion of camp
The Bucs took these guys in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively, with the idea that they'd contribute right away in 2025.
So far, that's coming to fruition. Morrison made some nice plays on Day 2 and then, per Pewter Report, Parrish came away with a pick on Sunday.
While the splash plays are great, it's both players' physical abilities and grasp of the playbook that's stood out. Which in turn, has helped them make the plays they've made so far in camp.
“I think the way they have been carrying themselves, they are going to be able to make an impact for us," Smith told reporters. "I am really looking forward to the season and the ways they can make an impact for us.”
"[Benjamin] Morrison, [Jacob] Parrish, David Walker, a couple of those guys, can play good football for us," Lavonte David said after Day 1. "Their name is going to be called at some point. They have to be able to step in and plug in for us right away. And from what I saw so far, it looks really good."
Bowles has been transparent about both players' respective paths to earning meaningful snaps and each one has a chance to earn a significant role. There's still a long way to go, but we could very well be seeing the future of the Bucs secondary as early as this year.
5. Yaya Diaby is ready to set the tone for a Super Bowl run
Diaby has been doing everything from pilates to taking teaching points from Bucs legend Simeon Rice in hopes of breaking out in 2025.
He also dropped 10 pounds and added more muscle mass. What was an already impressive specimen has become even more impressive, somehow, over the offseason.
"He's been professional dating back to the spring," Bowles told reporters Sunday. "Everything he's done has been with intention. I like the way he's getting off the ball right now [and] he's really using his hands a lot more and a lot better. [If] he keeps that up, he should have a hell of a year."
Diaby knows what Year 3 means for him, as well. He, himself, is ready to live up to his potential and wreck opposing offenses. He's also fully aware that if the Bucs' pass rush steps up it will mean big things.
"Lavonte [David]. . . tells me all the time, like, 'I hate bringing up the year we won the Super Bowl, but that year it took the defensive line to really set the tone and and that's the mindset going into this year," Diaby told reporters on Day 4.
That's the right mindset to have and like Bowles said, big things can happen if Diaby can put it altogether.
Injury updates
Defensive lineman Desmond Watson remains on the Non-Football Illness List. DL Greg Gaines returned to practice on Sunday. Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. remains out and rookie EDGE David Walker didn't participate in Sunday's practice after getting hurt on Friday. Safety Marcus Banks missed Sunday, as well.
