As a Buccaneers fan, I am thrilled to hear that Illinois safety Sydney Brown is a potential draft target. Brown had an impressive college career, finishing with 134 tackles and six interceptions over three seasons. He is known for his physicality and ability to make big plays in crucial moments. As a team that struggled defensively at times last season, bringing in a player like Brown could make a significant impact on our ability to stop opposing offenses. I can’t wait to see who the Bucs select in the upcoming draft, and Brown would certainly be an exciting addition to the roster.
Introduction
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a successful 2020 season, culminating in their first Super Bowl victory in over a decade. However, the team still has room for improvement, particularly in the defensive secondary. One potential solution to this problem could be Illinois safety Sydney Brown.
Background
Sydney Brown is a 6-foot, 200-pound safety from Houston, Texas. He played high school football at St. Thomas High School, where he earned first-team all-state honors as a senior. Brown was a three-star recruit coming out of high school, and he initially committed to play at Nebraska before ultimately signing with Illinois.
During his time in Champaign, Brown became one of the top defensive playmakers in the Big Ten. He appeared in 32 games over three seasons, starting 27 of them. He was a first-team all-Big Ten selection in 2020, as he totaled 50 tackles, two interceptions, and six pass breakups in eight games.
Strengths
Brown’s biggest strength is his ability to create turnovers. Throughout his college career, he showed a knack for being in the right place at the right time to make a big play. In addition to his two interceptions in 2020, he also had four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He is a hard hitter who can jar the ball loose from opposing ball carriers.
Brown is also a sure tackler in space. He has good size and strength for the safety position, and he uses that to his advantage when tackling. He rarely misses tackles and is able to bring down ball carriers quickly before they can pick up extra yardage.
Weaknesses
One area where Brown could use improvement is in his coverage skills. While he has shown the ability to make big plays in the passing game, he can sometimes struggle in man coverage against faster receivers. He will need to work on his footwork and technique to become a more consistent defender in coverage at the next level.
Another weakness for Brown is his durability. He missed the final two games of the 2019 season with a knee injury and had to sit out the 2021 Senior Bowl with an ankle injury. He will need to prove that he can stay healthy and avoid injuries if he wants to have a long and productive NFL career.
Fit with the Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have a need for depth and playmaking ability in the defensive secondary. After losing safety Andrew Adams in free agency, they currently have just three safeties on the roster: Jordan Whitehead, Mike Edwards, and Raven Greene. While all three of those players are talented, adding more depth and competition to the position would be beneficial for the team.
Brown would be a good fit for the Buccaneers’ defense. His ability to create turnovers and make big plays would make him a valuable addition to the secondary. He would likely fit in as a backup safety initially, but he could push for playing time as a rookie if he performs well in training camp and preseason games.
Projection
It is difficult to project where Brown will be drafted, as there is a wide range of opinions on his draft stock. Some analysts see him as a mid-round pick, while others believe he could go as high as the third round.
If the Buccaneers are interested in Brown, they may be able to get him in the fourth or fifth round of the draft. However, they may need to trade up if they want to ensure that they get him. The team has a history of making aggressive moves in the draft, so it would not be surprising to see them trade up if they feel that Brown is the right player for them.
Conclusion
Sydney Brown has the potential to be a valuable addition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense. His ability to create turnovers and make big plays would make him a valuable backup safety, and he could push for playing time as a rookie if he performs well in training camp and preseason games. While there are areas where he needs to improve, he has the talent and potential to develop into a starting-caliber safety in the NFL. If the Buccaneers are able to draft him, he could help them take another step forward in their quest to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
