Bucs safeties coach Nick Rapone talks Jordan Whitehead’s return and more
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made some key additions this offseason for the back end of their defense, and safeties coach Nick Rapone is pretty thrilled about it.
One big move was the return of safety Jordan Whitehead, a former fourth-round pick of the Bucs who spent his first four seasons in Tampa Bay before playing the last two years with the New York Jets.
The Bucs also spent a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Georgia’s Tykee Smith, a versatile playmaker who can line up at safety, as well as in the slot.
Rapone recently spoke with the media about Whitehead’s return, Smith’s versatility, and much more:
QB Baker Mayfield
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QB Kyle Trask
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QB John Wolford
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RB Rachaad White
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RB Bucky Irving
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RB Chase Edmonds
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RB Sean Tucker
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WR Mike Evans
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WR Trey Palmer
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WR Jalen McMillan
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WR Deven Thompkins
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WR Rakim Jarrett
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TE Cade Otton
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TE Payne Durham
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TE Ko Kieft
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TE Devin Culp
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 04: Devin Culp #83 of the Washington Huskies looks on before the…
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 04: Devin Culp #83 of the Washington Huskies looks on before the game against the Montana Grizzlies at Husky Stadium on September 04, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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OT Tristan Wirfs
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G Sua Opeta
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OL Graham Barton
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G Cody Mauch
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OT Luke Goedeke
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OL Robert Hainsey
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OL Ben Bredeson
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OT Brandon Walton
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OT Justin Skule
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G Elijah Klein
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OLB Yaya Diaby
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OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
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OLB Chris Braswell
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OLB Randy Gregory
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OLB Anthony Nelson
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DL Vita Vea
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DL Calijah Kancey
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DL Logan Hall
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DL Will Gholston
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DL Greg Gaines
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Nov 5, 2023Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports; Houston, Texas, USA;Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) passes as he is pressured from Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Greg Gaines (96) in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
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LB Lavonte David
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LB SirVocea Dennis
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LB K.J. Britt
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LB J.J. Russell
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CB Jamel Dean
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CB Zyon McCollum
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CB Christian Izien
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CB Bryce Hall
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CB Tavierre Thomas
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S Antoine Winfield Jr.
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S Jordan Whitehead
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DB Tykee Smith
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DB Josh Hayes
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K Chase McLaughlin
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P Jake Camarda
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LS Zach Triner
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