When the season begins, every team is ready to go in pursuit of the playoffs and perhaps a division title.
But you have to go through a lot to truly work as a team. Next, it is important that the veterans build the team and focus it.
They know that things happen and it’s what happens next that will make or break the franchise.
The Cleveland Browns have already lost the following starters for the remainder of the season: RT Tackle Jack Conklin, RB Nick Chubb, QB Deshaun Watson and KR Jakeem Grant. Backups include LB Jacob Phillips, Jordan Kunaszyk, OG Drew Forbes, WR Michael Woods and CB Cameron Mitchell.
After Sunday’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the coaching staff learned that S Rodney McLeod would be added to that roster.
The others are certainly heartbreaking, but McLeod has been as steadfast as them in this elite defense.
The seasoned veteran quietly had a very good season that wasn’t measured by tackles, interceptions, sacks or other defensive metrics.
He was a defensive leader, tutor and coach on the field. McLeod injured his biceps in the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh’s win and will need surgery to repair it.
He has since been placed on IR and will remain there for the remainder of the season.
To compound this disaster, Juan Thornhill, the other starting safety, was out of action for the Steelers game with a calf injury.
That leaves D’Anthony Bell and rookie Ronnie Hickman on the field to join starter Grant Delpit as the other safeties on the roster alongside practice squad members Vincent Gray and Tanner McCallister.
On Tuesday, the Browns placed McLeod on IR and did not sign a player to replace him, leaving one spot open.
To add more depth to the safety room, the Browns should look to the free agent market.
Not that this new player needs to come in and be the starter, or even get a ton of snaps.
But at least there would still be a warm body to fill the position. Bell and Hickman may become the next McLeod, or they may not.
Maybe the Browns will simply move Gray or McCallister to the main roster. Otherwise, they have to recruit someone.
Here are five safeties Cleveland could add to the active roster:
Landon Collins (6′-0″, 225 pounds)
Age: 29 years old
Collins is a former second round pick of the New York Football Giants and started right away. He was a high school track and field star and a five-star football recruit.
After a standout career at Alabama, where he was named a unanimous All-American, he was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-Pro in 2016.
He is a very good tackler and has made totals of 112, 125, 104 and 96 tackles with eight interceptions in his first four seasons in the league.
He then signed a six-year, $84 million contract with Washington, where he played more of a hybrid role of linebacker and safety.
He recorded 117 tackles in his freshman season. In 2021, he suffered a foot injury, forcing him to play in just seven games with 81 tackles. After the season, there was a release after June 1st.
After re-signing with the Giants, Collins played in only six games with just one start.
His career stats are 95 starts in 100 active games, 12 picks, 691 total tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 17 QB hits, 11 sacks, five forced fumbles, 41 pass defenses and two defensive touchdowns. His 2022 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade was 65.0.
LaMarcus Joyner (5′-8″, 185 pounds)
Age: 32 years old
Joyner, another second-round pick in 2014, this time with the St. Louis Rams, was an All-American at Florida State and a two-time First Team All-ACC.
He is a consistent tackler but has never exceeded 100 tackles in a season, with 78 being his highest number in a single season.
He played for the New York Jets from 2021-2022 and had 57 tackles with three interceptions and six pass completions last year. He has a speed of 4.55 in the 40.
In 2022, Joyner’s PFF grade was 57.0. The best part of this game is his run defense, where he continues to come to safety. He is better in the slot or free safety.
Carpenter can read plays quickly and has good hands. He lacks elite speed and struggles against bigger receivers. His decision-making on certain plays is omnipresent.
Andrew Adams (5′-11″, 205 pounds)
Age: 31 years old
Adams is currently on the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, the Browns just released RB John Kelly, leaving a spot open for Adams on the main roster and on the PS.
He entered the league in 2016 as an undrafted free agent out of UConn, where he had a career-high 262 tackles and 12 forced turnovers.
He won a Super Bowl ring while playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021.
While playing for the Tennessee Titans in 2022, he had a productive season with 62 tackles, one pick and three pass defenses.
Adams is a leader of the team and is very strong. He is also a good man.
He lacks vertical skills but is versatile as he can be moved around in the secondary.
Logan Ryan (5′-11″, 195 pounds)
Age: 32 years old
Ryan, a former All-American, won two Super Bowl rings as a member of the New England Patriots.
He is an experienced veteran who can replace the coach on the field.
He played for the Buccaneers last season and made 37 tackles in six starts after being sidelined with a foot injury.
The year before, he totaled 117 tackles with the Giants. He is a sure tackler and is good at running.
His 40th time is 4.56.
Ryan had several very productive seasons, surpassing the 100 tackle mark twice.
His career stats are 742 total tackles, 19 interceptions, 13 sacks, 98 pass defenses, 15 forced fumbles and 26 QB hits. His 2022 PFF grade was 69.1.
He has excellent ball skills and man-marking ability. Excellent against the run with lots of experience.
He needs to improve his jamming skills and is not as fast as he used to be. But Ryan is a solid defender.
Andrew Sendejo (6′-1″, 210 pounds)
Age: 36 years old
Sendejo made national headlines during training camp this year when he said the Browns would never make the playoffs without him.
Current Browns safety Juan Thornhill then gave an answer. The post he made on Instagram was pretty funny since he committed to Cleveland, all the Browns fans generally despised him because he was a bad tackler.
When he was given a bigger role on defense, he simply wasn’t as good.
Currently, Cleveland sits in fifth place in the AFC with nearly half the season remaining, so Sendejo’s prophecy doesn’t hold up at this point. And yes, it was a joke, so relax.
Survey
What should the Browns do at the safety position? Signature Landon Collins
Signature LaMarcus Joyner
Signature Andrew Adams
Signed Logan Ryan
Sign another unlisted free agent
