Bucs are re-signing security Kaevon Merriweather, an exclusive-rights free agent, to a one-year deal. Has 38 tackles in two years after making the Bucs as an undrafted rookie out of Iowa.
It’s an affordable deal for Merriweather, who has offered stable security depth for the Bucs during the last two seasons. As an exclusive-rights free agent, his deal is for the league minimal relative to his expertise, which is $1.03 million within the case of the 25-year-old.
Kaevon Merriweather Performed A Key Position For The Bucs Late In 2024
Bucs S Kaevon Merriweather – Photograph by: USA Right now
The 6-foot, 212-pound security initially signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa in 2023. As a rookie, he performed 164 snaps, ending with a 55.4 grade from Professional Soccer Focus.
His run protection and tackling grades have been within the 30s, however he turned in higher marks in move rush (65.1) and protection (67.1). Of his 164 snaps as a rookie, he performed 91 at free security, with the next-most (48) coming within the field.
Merriweather ended up taking part in a key depth function for the Bucs late within the 2024 season. He was really waived by the group in November and briefly signed with the Lions’ observe squad earlier than returning to Tampa Bay in December.
He was wanted down the stretch as a result of accidents on the security place, and he performed a few of his finest soccer when known as upon. The previous Iowa Hawkeye largely graded out average-to-above-average from Week 14 on. Right here’s how issues regarded for him, in response to PFF:
Week 14: 55 snaps, 62.5 general grade, 67.4 run protection, 84.6 tackling, 77.4 move rush, 55.6 coverageWeek 15: 52 snaps, 66.7 general grade, 62.0 run protection, 77.2 tackling, 57.1 move rush, 64.9 coverageWeek 16: 31 snaps, 64.2 general grade, 64.6 run protection, 29.2 tackling, 70.4 move rush, 57.1 protection Week 17: 11 snaps, 66.0 general grade, 60.0 run protection, 77.2 tackling, N/A move rush, 64.2 coverageWeek 18: 66 snaps, 68.9 general grade, 47.9 run protection, 47.3 tackling, 65.9 move rush, 70.2 protection
Merriweather solely performed 14 snaps within the Wild Card loss to the Commanders, although he graded out nicely with a 67.4 general mark, together with a 75.2 tackling grade.
Over 274 snaps on the season, he posted a 66.5 general grade, with a 62.2 run protection grade, a 66.5 tackling mark, an 82.1 move rush grade, and a protection grade of 62.9. He reduce his missed deal with fee in half from his rookie yr and completed the marketing campaign with 17 tackles (11 solo), one sack, a fumble restoration and a move defensed in 14 video games (5 begins).
Kaevon Merriweather’s 2025 Position With The Bucs Stays TBD
Bucs S Kaevon Merriweather – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
That is the second transfer the Bucs have made concerning the protection place this offseason, with the primary coming within the type of reducing ties with Jordan Whitehead only one yr after he returned to the group. On the 2025 NFL Scouting Mix, head coach and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles mentioned they’ve mentioned the opportunity of shifting Tykee Smith to security this season after he performed the vast majority of his rookie marketing campaign at nickel cornerback.
If Tampa Bay does make that transfer, it arrange Smith and Antoine Winfield Jr. to be the group’s beginning safeties, and Kaevon Merriweather would stay a key depth piece on the place. Nevertheless, given a budget price ticket on the third-year security, re-signing him for a yr doesn’t preclude the Bucs from including one other security to bolster the room this offseason.
With that being mentioned, Bowles was happy with the way in which Merriweather performed down the stretch in 2024 and is clearly a fan of him, so it’s possible that the 25-year-old stays part of the room in some kind or style this season.
