Ryan Neal Taking Undrafted Free Agents Under His Wing

Safety Ryan Neal is a newcomer to the Bucs this season, but almost immediately he’s got teammates looking up to him due to his experience. He’s especially got the attention of the safeties in his room given his background.

Neal is going into his sixth year in the NFL. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018, signing with the Eagles and then staying on with the Falcons that year. Then he spent 2019 through 2022 with the Seahawks before landing in Tampa Bay this season.

With the exception of Antoine Winfield Jr. all of the Bucs safeties on the roster entered the league as undrafted free agents. Nolan Turner went undrafted last year, and this season, and Chris Izien, Kaevon Merriweather and Kedrick Whitehead all fighting to make the roster as undrafted free agents. So when Neal speaks, his words are that much more important and hit even closer to home when he’s addressing the player players that are about to walk in the same shoes as he did.

Ryan Neal Is Lending A Helping Hand To UDFAs

Ryan Neal has taken the undrafted free agent safeties under his wing. He’s been very open about providing guidance whenever they seek it in meetings or at practice.

“Absolutely, I told from day one, I’m one of y’all,” Neal said. “I’m not an anomaly, I wasn’t drafted, I had to get mine out the mud just like you. Even in my room, across the team, I already had a talk with them and I told them if you ever need something, come holler at me. I know what the journey is like, I can give you the pointers to make right decisions in this league and make sure you’re staying on top of your stuff. I take that to heart when I get my undrafted dudes. They have a special place for me.”

Neal then gave his scouting report on the group that he was practicing with each day during OTAs and mini-camp, starting with Chris Izien.

Bucs S Chris Izien – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Great kid,” Neal said. “He’s multiple, like everybody else. Short and stocky, so I know he’s probably physical. Real fast, has great hips and great feet, too.  I love what he does and he does have a blitz package, too. I mean he had a spin move on the running back the other day. I don’t even think I have that in my package. He has a good bag to him, I like him.”

Next up was Kaevon Merriweather and Kedrick Whitehead, who each received thoughtful compliments.

“I love his (Merriweather’s) game. I love Merriweather, Whitehead, I think all my safeties in my room are pretty good,”  Neal said. “They all can play ball. Merriweather – big body. I can already tell you he’s a hitter. He’s very smart, knows how to be in the right position. My boy Whitehead is a great communicator. I don’t know if y’all have heard him but 25 is the loudest dude on the field when he’s there. He talks great, Izzy’s multiple positions. We got a special little group in the undrafted class.”

Ryan Neal Shares Thoughts On Playing In Bucs’ Defense

Bucs S Ryan Neal – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Since Ryan Neal is a Bucs newcomer, that means he has to nail down the ins and outs of Todd Bowles defense, which can be complicated. The Bucs’ head coach has gotten a reputation as a great defensive mind who dials up exotic blitzes and comprehensive looks to throw off opponents.

Neal shared his feelings on what it’s like play after play.

“He does everything,”  Neal said. “There’s not like just one thing you can pin him on. Being in the league, my sixth year coming in, I’ve been part of a defense where we’ve just kind of been one thing, but he’s so multiple. It’s a challenge for the players too because you’ve got to learn it, but it just gives you such an advantage because offenses in this league are super smart. So you’ve got to be able to change pictures up, change looks and that’s what he’s known for. That’s what he’s great at, so that’s what I love most about it.”

“Aggressive” is a word that gets constantly brought up about Bowles defense. Neal was asked if he’s played on a defense before that has so many people flying around the field. And while he has respect for other groups he’s played with, the aggressiveness of this unit is off the charts.

“I have, but this is way more aggressive than before,” Neal said. “I come from systems where you do blitz sometimes, but this is a system where we do that, we live it, everybody does it. That’s the cool part about it. Like I said, you’ve got to be smart. You’ve got to know who’s going, who’s not going. Is it you? Is it someone else? So it’s cool because we’re all in attack mode. Some defenses kind of play safe. You can’t play safe in this league. Like I said, offenses are smart and they’ll pick you apart and tear you up. But this defense is aggressive and you don’t know where it’s coming from.”