The Tampa Bay Buccaneers know well the importance of depth in the secondary after negotiating their way around a long string of injuries in 2024, and they took a step in building that depth on Thursday by signing former Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor.
Vildor has played five seasons in the NFL, the last two in Detroit, where he appeared in 22 games with four starts during the regular season and four games with three starts in the playoffs. Last season, he played in all 17 games for the Lions, made two starts and contributed 16 tackles and three passes defensed. He also played 48% of the team's special teams snaps.
Vildor first entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft by the Chicago Bears. He started 22 games over three seasons in Chicago before being waived at the end of the 2023 preseason. Vildor split the first half of that season between Tennessee and Philadelphia before signing to the Lions' practice squad in November and eventually getting a promotion to the active roster.
In all, Vildor has seen action in 68 regular season games, logging 26 starts. He has compiled 124 tackles, one interception, 15 passes defensed, one sack, five tackles for loss and one forced fumble. He has added 20 tackles and a pass defensed in five postseason contests.
The Buccaneers have three cornerbacks on their own list of players who became unrestricted free agents on Wednesday: Bryce Hall, Troy Hill and Tavierre Thomas. Vildor joins a cornerback group currently consisting of Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, Josh Hayes, Dallis Flowers and Tyrek Funderburk.
View images of CB Kindle Vildor, the newest member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) gets set on defense against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) lines up on defense during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Indianapolis. The Lions defeated the Colts 24-6. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)

Detroit Lions' Kindle Vildor (29), Brian Branch (32) and Brandon Joseph, right, celebrate after Branch intercepted a pass trown by Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott (4) in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)

Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) moves across the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 in Minneapolis. Detroit won 31-29. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Chicago Bears cornerback Kindle Vildor (22) warms up before the start of an NFL football against the Minnesota Vikings Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) runs onto the field during the NFC Championship NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)

Chicago Bears cornerback Kindle Vildor (22) after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022 in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 31-17. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) celebrates with teammate cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) gets set on defense against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) is seen during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)