FS - Usama Young - played in all 16 games last year, starting 8. Was injured in training camp and that slowed him a little. Showed the ability to be a starter but was not a playmaker.
SS - TJ Ward - Injuries limited Ward to 8 games last season. He has been a solid player in his first 2 seasons and should continue to improve. Wish he had better hands but looks like he could be the real deal if he can stay healthy.
Backups
Eric Hagg - 7th rounder last year, will always be the guy that Heckert took instead of Sanzenbacher to me. Played in the second half of the season and looked serviceable, whether he can be more than that remains to be seen.
Ray Ventrone - Special teams ace, marginal safety.
So safety may not be a high priority for the Browns in the draft, but both Ward and Young battled injuries last season and depth can be improved. I don't think they'll take one before the mid to late rounds so let's take a look at some options that may be available. It's also not a great safety class this season.
Some guys who may fit what the Browns want to do:
FS:
Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State - 3rd round - good size and functional speed (6'1 207, 4.6), inconsistent tackler who never flashed when I watched Ok State. May always leave you wanting more.
Phillip Thomas, Syracuse - 3rd-4th round - Looks the part but could get stronger, does have character concerns. Needs to prove he can be trusted but was a very productive player in the Big East and could develop into a solid center fielder.
Trenton Robinson, Michigan State - 4th rounder - I like the guy, doesn't have great size (5'10 195), but is a bit like Mike Adams in that he can play safety or corner. Productive, 9 ints in 32 career starts. Good character guy.
Christian Thompson, South Carolina State - 4th-5th rounder - Transferred from Auburn, is big and fast (6'1 211, 4.49). Didn't have great production at a small school. May need time to develop at the NFL level but with the right coaching could be a steal in the 5th.
Janzen Jackson, McNeese State - 5th rounder - another SEC transfer, from Tennessee where he made some really stupid decisions. He's a high cut guy and could possibly play corner as well. Offers versatility and is a good athlete but again teams will need to be sure they can trust him. I think he can play in the league though.
Kelcie McCray, Arkansas State - 6th rounder - he looks the part and flashed in their bowl game, but will need to get stronger. May need to be a special teams beast to make an impact. Can play either safety spot.
SS:
Charles Mitchell, Miss St - 4th-5th rounder - 3 year starter in the SEC, production is impossible to ignore. Not a playmaker but does flash in games. Should be a contributor early. Solid player.
DeQuan Menzie, Alabama - 4th-5th rounder - Versatile defender who played corner but may project better to safety. Produced and was a leader on a tremendously talented team. Teams will be comfortable taking him because they know what they'll get. Worked his way back from a torn achilles in 09.
Duke Ihenacho, San Jose St - 5th rounder - Big physical player who should be a special teams demon. Needs to learn how to cover but could be a solid in the box defender. A bit like TJ Ward, though much more limited in coverage.
Cyhl Quarles, Wake Forest - 5th-6th rounder - Not a tremendous playmaker but a solid safety who can play both free or in the box. Good size (6'1 213) Should make a team and contribute as a backup early and special teams player and could develop into more with proper coaching.
Depending on what becomes of Sheldon Brown, safety may or may not be an area of need for the Browns. It will be hard to replace Mike Adams in the locker room but they may look to replace him on the field, and there are some versatile safeties that may be targeted late that fit the bill.
No comments:
Post a Comment