Jordan Whitehead

Whitehead signed a two-year deal with the Jets in the offseason and is expected to start at free safety after totaling between 69 and 76 tackles in each of his first four seasons with the Buccaneers. Still just 25 years old, Whitehead could find himself playing an even more prominent role on a defense with significantly less talent around him.

Whitehead started all 16 games for the first time in his three-year career in 2020, finishing with 74 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, four pass defenses, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. He allowed a completion percentage below 60 percent in primary coverage for a second straight season, and he battled through a torn labrum in his shoulder in the playoffs before getting surgery after Super Bowl LV. Raven Greene was signed for depth purposes this offseason, but Whitehead once again should hold down the starting free safety job and offer consistent value as an IDP.

Whitehead was even more involved during his second pro campaign in 2019, logging a whopping 953 defensive snaps despite seeing his season end two games early due to a hamstring injury. The versatile 2018 fourth-round pick also recorded an additional 129 plays on return and coverage units, and he managed to break up nine passes and record his first career interception. The University of Pittsburgh product's contributions were particularly valued during a season that 2017 second-round pick Justin Evans missed altogether because of an Achilles injury. With Evans presumably healthy by the time training camp starts, Whitehead likely will need to battle him for the starting free safety job this summer.

Whitehead ultimately was relied upon a lot more than would have been initially expected of a fourth-round rookie last season. The former Pitt Panther appeared in 15 games and logged 76 tackles (61 solo) and four defensed passes. A season-ending knee injury to Chris Conte and a subsequent toe issue that curtailed Justin Evans' campaign were responsible for affording Whitehead plenty of on-the-job training. Whitehead's solid performance gives him the inside track to the starting free safety job heading into training camp, and Whitehead once again could prove to be a productive IDP option in Year 2 of his career if he remains atop the depth chart throughout the season.