The Cleveland Browns are going to be extremely focused on adding a new offensive tackle to protect Baker Mayfield, but they will also be looking at the safety position long and hard. They currently only have one-year rentals roaming at the back end of the defense. This safety class is one of the worst we have seen in recent years at the top, but there is still some talent that can provide help.
I grade players extremely generous and like to think with an open mind. Most writers only rank 20-25 first round grades and that is probably more indicative of their talent rather than where they are selected. I rank prospects based on the highest I could possibly see them be snagged.
1st Round
1. Grant Delpit, LSU, 6-2, 213 pounds
Delpit possess the ideal instincts for a starting-caliber safety and has the athletic ability and ball skills to capitalize on said instincts. The major concern with Delpit is that his play appeared to plateau in 2019 and the 2018 version was better. Comparing his stats from the past two years is just one piece of evidence to his obvious dip in play.
2. Xavier McKinney, Alabama, 6-0, 201 pounds
McKinney is an extremely versatile defender. He has the necessary range to be effective in coverage and the instincts to be in the right place at the right time as a run defender. The biggest flaw with McKinney’s game is his lack of elite athleticism, which may hurt his abilities as a single-high safety.
2nd Round
3. Ashtyn Davis, California, 6-1, 202 pounds
Davis is the opposite of McKinney, as he is a freak athlete with track star speed that can allow him to thrive in single-high. Davis would have a first-round grade, but he is built thin. He is close to the same size as McKinney, but Davis does not have the same frame and might be maxed out already.
4. Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne, 6-1, 217 pounds
Dugger was an absolute stud during Senior Bowl week where he washed away nearly all doubt that he can hang with the big boys after coming from such a small school. He has shown that his athleticism is rare no matter the level of competition. With all that said, Senior Bowl week was just one week and playing in the Division II ranks is still going to raise some questions.
5. Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota, 5-9, 203 pounds
Winfield can be a starting-caliber free safety in the NFL and like his dad, Antoine Winfield Sr., has elite instincts that allow him to overcome his small stature and play larger than his listed size. With that said, you can’t just ignore his less than ideal size and lengthy injury history. That is the reason he is this far down the list.
6. Terrell Burgess, Utah, 5-11, 202 pounds
Burgess has fantastic athleticism to go with impressive instincts. Those make him the total package at safety able to work wonders in a zone-heavy scheme. He can also stick to receivers in man like few safeties can. Like Winfield, Burgess lacks the ideal size you want starting on the back-end and his frame appears tapped out.
7. Brandon Jones, Texas, 5-11, 198 pounds
Jones is a former High School All-American and lived up to that hype with 30 career starts and despite his listed size, has the body to play strong safety in the NFL with an impressive physique. Jones has a ton of tackles to his name, but he is not the most fearsome tackler and rarely gets a solid hit on anybody with the ball instead electing to bring them down by the ankles.
3rd Round
8. Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois, 6-3, 221 pounds
Like Jones, Chinn is a perfect fit for the strong safety role in the NFL. Despite coming from an FCS program, Chinn showcased his ability to hang with the big boys during Senior Bowl week. He has the type of attitude and personality to win over a front office. The biggest obstacle in Chinn’s way is still the fact that he played against lower competition in college.
9. Julian Blackmon, Utah, 6-0, 187 pounds
Blackmon has some great film, especially when he is tasked with covering the running back. He can be a versatile weapon for any defense as he can play nickel CB at a high level in addition to safety. Blackmon did have an injury during the PAC-12 Championship that warrants deeper investigation and he doesn’t always have flawless footwork in coverage.
10. K’Von Wallace, Clemson, 5-11, 206 pounds
Wallace is a prototypical free safety, but is versatile enough to lineup wherever asked, just like he demonstrated at Clemson. He was truly the unsung hero of that defense with a resume that includes 36 career starts and a school-record 59 career games played. Wallace does lack ideal size though and his frame appears to be maxed out.
11. J.R. Reed, Georgia, 6-1, 202 pounds
Like Wallace, Reed checks many of the boxes you want in a starting free safety, but he also plays with a unique aggressiveness and can impact the game from the box. He maybe the best safety in this class against the run. Despite being a better fit at free, Reed is not the smoothest in coverage and really struggles when tasked with man assignments.
4th Round
12. Geno Stone, Iowa, 5-10, 207 pounds: Has good instincts in coverage, but needs to clean up tackling.
13. Brian Cole II, Miss. St., 6-2, 213 pounds: Intriguing upside as a strong with limited experience as he transferred from Michigan as a wide receiver to East Mississippi Community College then Miss. St.
14. Jordan Fuller, Ohio St., 6-2, 203 pounds: Has solid range, has to play free as he struggles in the box.
15. Josh Metellus, Michigan, 5-11, 209 pounds: Moves where he wants to with great speed, but sometimes goes to wrong spot.
16. Jeremiah Dinson, Auburn, 5-11, 191 pounds: Instincts make him arguably the best in the class in zone, but his lengthy injury history hurts his stock.
5th Round
17. Antoine Brooks Jr., Maryland, 5-11, 220 pounds: Former linebacker still plays like it and is best when moving towards the line of scrimmage, most obvious fit at strong.
18. Jalen Elliott, Notre Dame, 6-0, 205 pounds: Ideal fit with zone reliant team, but is not the smoothest tackler.
19. Alohi Gilman Notre Dame, 5-10, 201 pounds: Former Navy transfer, fairly versatile with athletic limitations. Best game was against Clemson in 2018 and his best fit is at free.
20. Kamren Curl, Arkansas, 6-1, 206 pounds: Starter since freshman season, provides some versatility, but better fit at strong. Fairly low ceiling but decently high floor.
21. Shyheim Carter, Alabama, 5-11, 194 pounds: Versatile with the ability to play nickel, but lacks ideal athleticism.
6th Round
22. David Dowell, Michigan St., 6-0, 199 pounds: 36 consecutive starts and eight career interceptions isn’t too shabby. Solid free fit.
7th Round
23. Myles Dorn, North Carolina, 6-2, 205 pounds: Solid athlete but too often gets lost, best fit is at free.
24. Jared Mayden, Alabama, 6-0, 205 pounds: Didn’t start until senior season. Fairly versatile, best fit is at strong.
25. Levonta Taylor, Florida St. 5-10, 190 pounds: Great athlete with the versatility and experience to play free safety or corner, but has lengthy injury history.
26. Kenny Robinson, St. Louis (XFL), 6-1, 202 pounds: Decided to go the XFL route after West Virginia, best fit is at strong.
27. Jaquarius Landrews, Mississippi St., 6-0, 200 pounds: Had okay week at NFLPA Bowl, could play strong.
28. Khaleke Hudson, Michigan, 5-11, 224 pounds: Great blitzer, too small to play linebacker and too slow to play safety.
29. Reggie Floyd, Virginia Tech, 6-0, 222 pounds: Like Hudson, stuck as a tweener linebacker/safety, obvious fit at strong.
Priority Free Agent:
30. Jaylinn Hawkins, California, 6-1, 208 pounds
31. Douglas Coleman II, Texas Tech, 6-0, 173 pounds
32. Luther Kirk, Illinois St., 6-4, 194 pounds
33. Jalen Julius, Ole Miss, 5-10, 192 pounds
34. D.Q. Thomas, Southern Miss, 5-10, 220 pounds
35. Daniel Thomas, Auburn, 5-10, 215 pounds
36. Xavier Lewis, Southeastern Louisiana, 5-11, 200 pounds
37. Alijah Halliburton, Wyoming, 6-0, 197 pounds
38. Patrick Nelson, SMU, 6-1, 215 pounds
39. Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Montreal, 6-3, 198 pounds
40. Nigel Warrior, Tennessee, 6-0, 192 pounds
