Bucs Agree To Terms With Top-Graded Safety

After the initial wave of free agency, the Bucs still had a significant need at the safety position. Now, they’ve filled it, agreeing to a one-year deal with former Seahawks standout Ryan Neal. The Score’s Jordan Schultz reported the news Tuesday evening, and Pewter Report has confirmed it.

Neal, who is only 27 years old, finished 2022 as Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded safety. He earned an 85.6 — more than three points better than the No. 2 safety — after earning a starting job in Week 5. PFF’s Jonathon Macri wrote the following about Neal after last season:

“In what is likely the most out-of-nowhere performance of the 2022 NFL season, Neal stepped into a starting role in Week 5 after Jamal Adams’ season ended in Week 1 and after Josh Jones, who originally replaced Adams, wasn’t up to snuff as an NFL starter in the three games that preceded Neal taking over.

“From Week 5 on, Neal didn’t allow a single touchdown and just a 54.3% completion percentage as the primary coverage player on 35 targets. He posted a 20.0% forced incompletion rate (tied for 10th) and surrendered just a 51.3 passer rating when targeted (ninth) in that time, as well, which led to the second-best coverage grade (85.7) at the position.”

Earlier this offseason, the Seahawks originally tendered an offer to Neal, who was a restricted free agent. But on Friday, the team withdrew the tender, making him a free agent. The move came after Seattle added Julian Love to a safety group that already included Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs. Neal was ultimately the odd man out despite his impressive 2022 season. That opened the door for the Bucs.

Bucs Take Advantage Of Perfect Scenario To Fill Major Need

Seahawks safety Ryan Neal Photo By: USA Today

It didn’t take long for the Bucs to jump at an unexpected opportunity, getting Neal in to join a safety room that included only Antoine Winfield Jr. and 2022 undrafted free agent Nolan Turner.

The safety position has already seen some significant turnover in the last couple of weeks. Mike Edwards signed with Kansas City in free agency, Keanu Neal signed with the Steelers last week and Logan Ryan remains a free agent. So, Ryan Neal steps right into a wide-open room as he arrives in Tampa on a one-year contract. After playing at such a high level when given the opportunity last year, he’ll pair nicely with a Pro Bowl-caliber player in Winfield during the 2023 season.

Neal is a bigger safety, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 200 pounds. He has some versatility to his game, as he can play as both a box safety and a free safety in addition to covering the slot. Last year, he played 362 snaps in the box, 236 at free safety and 118 in the slot.

Neal set career highs last year with 66 tackles, four tackles for loss and eight passes defensed. He added an interception, a sack and a forced fumble to that stat line, playing 14 games for a playoff team.

Originally an undrafted free agent out of Southern Illinois in 2018, Neal will make the Bucs his fourth NFL team after previously spending time with the Eagles, Falcons and Seahawks.

Tampa Bay can now check off one of its biggest needs with the NFL Draft looming later this month, though the team should still be in the market for a safety in the early rounds. The Bucs will add Neal to their free agency class that already included Baker Mayfield, Greg Gaines, Chase Edmonds and Chase McLaughlin. The team has also retained some key free agents this offseason, most notably Lavonte David, Jamel Dean and Anthony Nelson. Given the cap constraints they faced, the Bucs’ brass has done well to piece things together to this point in the offseason. 

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