Safety Antoine WInfield Jr. comes from good stock. His father, CB Antoine Winfield Sr., was a three-time Pro Bowler during his 14 seasons in the NFL, and now his son will have the opportunity to carry on his name. 

Winfield Jr., who was selected in the second round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was a 2019 unanimous first-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten, and Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year at Minnesota.

According to Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians, Winfield is a mix of Tyrann Mathieu and Budda Baker, two players that Arians coached in Arizona. 

“Yeah again, he’s an extremely bright football player that’s got great bloodlines,” Arians said about Winfield Jr. “He is so position flexible – half-field, deep-field, middle-field, nickel, dime, linebacker – he’s got so many positions he can play. We love to mix it up with our safeties when they’re interchangeable. He’s part’ Honey Badger’ (Tyrann Mathieu), and he’s part Budda Baker – he’s that style of player that we can use in a different type of role along with our other safeties, who are interchangeable.”

Tampa Bay needed to upgrade the back end of their defense, and Winfield definitely has playmaking ability. The 21-year-old Winfield, who had two years left of eligibility, recorded 83 tackles, seven interceptions, and two forced fumbles last season at Minnesota. You could question his height 5’9, but Winfield Jr. is fearless, has good genes, and will probably continue to makes plays in the NFL.