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The Cleveland Browns will not lack for storylines this year. Outside of the team-oriented ones, the team is full of many interesting characters, situations, and hopes that will help write the story of the 2021 NFL season.
The Browns hope all of those storylines turn out in their favor. There are interesting situations on offense, despite the return of most of the players, including the return of Odell Beckham Jr., Jedrick Wills development, Austin Hooper’s chance for a bounce-back season, how is the speed of Anthony Schwartz used and, how does Baker Mayfield top his 2020 season?
The defensive side of the ball has even more intrigue while lacking some of the bigger names. Myles Garrett is the biggest name but how Jadeveon Clowney looks across from him could be the biggest story. Rookies Greg Newsome II and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will get a lot of hype and could raise the level of the Browns defense to the highest of highs. The revamped secondary around Denzel Ward could be the difference between a Super Bowl trip and “just” another trip to the NFL playoffs.
Joe Woods has made it clear that he plans to use a base of three safeties quite often in 2021. The addition of John Johnson III to go along with Ronnie Harrison, who had a good first season in Cleveland, gives the team a strong pair.
Grant Delpit’s return from injury could take that unit, and the defense, over the top. The Browns having three safeties that can cover, play the run, and even rush the passer would create extreme versatility. Johnson has already proved he is one of the top safeties in the league while Harrison showed a solid foundation in 2020 as well. That leaves Delpit as the safety that could breakout from among the pack.
Pro Football Focus shares that thought, nothing Delpit as their breakout candidate as they look at the entire AFC in relation to such:
2021 breakout candidates for every AFC team https://t.co/rGn8MggvJc
— PFF (@PFF) June 7, 2021
Skip to around the 17-minute mark for the discussion on Delpit’s coverage potential. They note “That’s a Super Bowl team. I think that’s a team that can beat the Kansas City Chiefs.
The numerous additions on the defense are huge but Grant Delpit has a chance to not only lift the defense to another level but be the Cleveland Browns breakout player of 2021.