Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2015 Safeties Breakdown

Sep 14, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) during the first quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

SS Bradley McDougald

Former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Bradley McDougald played in just four games in 2013 with no stats recorded as an exclusive special-teamer for the Chiefs and Bucs, and he came out of nowhere to be one of the Bucs surprises of the season, along with this linebacker, in an otherwise dismal first season for Smith and GM Jason Licht.

The 24-year-old Kansas product finished his first season as a starter with seven passes defended, one pick, and 50 tackles, providing some much-needed and solid work in coverage. McDougald spent most of his time lined up at strong safety, though he did play some free safety for the Bucs, and that’s the position he figures to start in 2015.

McDougald could afford to become a more consistent run defender and better tackler, but his first season with significant playing time can definitely be viewed as a success. If he can continue that play in his third season in the league, then McDougald could entrench himself as a starter on the Bucs defense. He has the upside to be a well-rounded SS, and while the Bucs praise for him seems hyperbolic, he’s on the right track to becoming an important player for them.

Next: Another Former Bear