At this point one year ago, LSU safety Grant Delpit was a fixture in the top 10 of preseason mock drafts. That high-end potential is still there even though Delpit’s junior season at LSU didn’t show the same star power.
The Cleveland Browns snatched up Delpit in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and many believe they’re getting that former top-10 prospect.
Nate Davis of USA TODAY cited Delpit as one of the 20 rookies would could make big impacts right away. Citing a return to full health after an injury-marred final season at LSU, Davis is bullish on what Delpit offers to the Browns.
A near-surefire first-rounder had he been eligible for the 2019 draft, Delpit won the Thorpe Award as the country’s top college defensive back last season despite being hindered by a high ankle sprain and too many missed tackles. Healthy again, he’s got the goods to be the playmaker that’s been lacking in the middle of Cleveland’s defense.
The opportunity is certainly there for Delpit to make a big splash right away in Cleveland’s new-look defense. His ability to play as both a single-high safety but also as a hybrid safety/LB figure to keep Delpit on the field in every situation as a rookie for the Browns.