Tag: Rodney McLeod

Browns: All 3 top safeties receive the same Madden 24 rating

78s across the board for the three Browns safeties

Dropping their first two positions of ratings today, Madden 24 has begun its annual tradition. We have already covered the wide receiver ratings for the Cleveland Browns, but they also dropped their safety ratings as well. For the Browns, all three of their top safeties in Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill, and Rodney McLeod were all given identical ratings.

The Browns also had two more safeties rated in Bubba Bolden and D’Anthony Bell. Here are the ratings for the safeties currently on the roster for the Browns.

The ratings for undrafted free agent safeties Ronnie Hickman and Tanner McAlister are not available at this time.

Nick Chubb, Joel Bitonio, 6 other veterans resting through voluntary OTAs

Relax, it’s voluntary.

The Cleveland Browns are back in Berea for another stint of voluntary OTAs. And while there is always a ton of commotion made about the veterans who do not attend, it is nothing to make a big deal about as they will all be there when mandatory camp rolls around. In fact, among those missing are the golden children of the Browns: running back Nick Chubb and offensive guard Joel Bitonio.

All in all, eight veterans are missing from OTAs in Northeast Ohio. Here are those veterans who will undoubtedly be in the building when the workouts become mandatory.

Rodney McLeod is the Browns’ most underrated addition of the offseason

The veteran safety will be a key part in 2023’s success.

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The Cleveland Browns have made several moves this offseason that have improved the roster for 2023. The trade for Za’Darius Smith was the icing on the impressive offseason for general manager Andrew Berry and the Browns. But one of the most important and underrated additions will be that of 11-year veteran safety Rodney McLeod.

Versatility is king and McLeod can play at a high level all over the field. Last season alone he played 527 snaps in the box, 290 snaps as a deep free safety, and 174 snaps in the slot. He had his best season in coverage according to PFF earning a 85.3 coverage grade.

In his 11-year career, McLeod has only had a coverage grade of less than 70 in three seasons one of which he hardly played. His familiarity with Jim Schwartz’s scheme will help significantly especially early in the season. Having McLeod will let the team use Juan Thornhill, who is best as a deep coverage player, and allow the defense to be more creative.

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Browns announce jersey changes after post-draft trade and signings

The Browns have announced new numbers for a handful of players.

Since the 2023 NFL draft was completed, the Cleveland Browns have made a couple of big moves including the big trade for pass rusher Za’Darius Smith. As a result, there are some number changes the team announced Tuesday. This includes a number change for two existing defensive ends, Smith’s choice, and the numbers for two other additions including veteran safety Rodney McLeod.

The Browns have also added two other secondary players in the veteran Super Bowl champion McLeod and journeyman cornerback Chris Westry. Here are the new numbers for the newest members of the Browns, as well as two number changes.

WATCH: Browns safety Rodney McLeod reacts to Za’Darius Smith trade

McLeod couldn’t contain his excitement when he learned of the news.

New Browns safety Rodney McLeod appeared as a guest analyst on NFL Network’s show NFL Total Access all last week. So on Friday during his appearance, the news broke that the Cleveland Browns had acquired three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith. You could instantly see on McLeod’s face that he was excited as he smiled ear to ear.

He talked about the overall effect this will have on the defense adding an experienced veteran of Smith’s caliber to what is already in place—pairing a pressure machine like that opposite Myles Garrett to give opposing quarterbacks nightmares. You can click here to see McLeod’s reaction and his initial thoughts.

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Watch: Rodney McLeod talks excitement on NFL Network for Browns season

The newest safety believes the Browns have a ton of talent.

Post-draft, one of the biggest question marks for the roster of the Cleveland Browns was safety until they signed veteran safety Rodney McLeod. Having a versatile safety like McLeod who can play all over the defensive backfield is a huge plus going into the 2023 season. McLeod won a Super Bowl under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz when they were together in Philadelphia.

McLeod took to NFL Network this week as a guest analyst and he was eager to talk about the talent on his new team in Cleveland. He is excited to play with the talented defensive backfield around him in Cleveland and to be reuniting with Jim Schwartz in 2023.

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A roster update after the 2023 NFL draft, Rodney McLeod signing

Want to see where the roster currently stands after the signing of Rodney McLeod and the 2023 NFL draft?

Even after the 2023 NFL draft and the undrafted free agency frenzy that followed, the Cleveland Browns continued to add more free agents to their roster. They added another camp leg in punter Joseph Charlton and veteran safety Rodney McLeod to the roster to round out their 90-man camp limit.

We know it is hard to keep track of every player who has been added to and subtracted from the roster throughout the offseason. Here is an updated list of who is currently rostered by the Browns after the draft and second bout of free agency. And general manager Andrew Berry may not be done yet.

New safety Rodney McLeod posts workout video after signing with the Browns

The newest member of the Browns is ready to get to work

The Cleveland Browns officially have their Ronnie Harrison replacement, except for a version you feel comfortable putting on the field. No longer possessing liabilities at the third level of their defense, the Browns added Rodney McLeod to a one-year deal. The newest safety is already putting in the work, showing excitement to get on the job with the Browns as he tweeted out a workout video.

There are no excuses in 2023 for the Browns as they look to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. They have added strong talent at every position of need, and have added veteran voices to the locker room as well. McLeod looks to be a leader as he has five years of experience working with new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

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Browns add versatility in defensive back field by signing safety Rodney McLeod

The versatile veteran rejoins Jim Schwartz in Cleveland

Safety depth was one of the remaining questions for the Cleveland Browns after last week’s NFL draft came to a close. NFL free agency is picking back up, and the Browns are jumping in on the action, adding a veteran to the room that it desperately needed in versatile veteran safety in Rodney McLeod. McLeod is reunited with Jim Schwartz who he played under when the two were with the Philadelphia Eagles.

McLeod is as versatile as they come playing 527 snaps in the box, 290 snaps as a deep free safety, and 174 snaps in the slot with an 85.3 coverage grade from PFF.

He should have a big role with the Browns’ defense right away and his ability to play all over the field is a massive get for the Browns. McLeod should be a roster lock and his veteran presence and experience with Schwartz can’t be understated.

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Ex-Colts S Rodney McLeod to sign with Browns

Rodney McLeod is joining the Browns.

Former Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney McLeod is signing with the Cleveland Browns, per multiple reports.

McLeod stepped up for the Colts in a big way during the 2022 season. He played the third-most snaps of all defenders on that side of the ball and proved to be a true leader in a young secondary.

McLeod was dubbed one of the unsung heroes of the Colts’ roster during a tumultuous campaign in what may have been the best season of his career.

According to Pro Football Focus, McLeod as the second-highest graded safety from Week 8 on. In 17 games (15 starts), McLeod recorded 96 tackles (59 solo), eight tackles for loss, eight passes defended and two interceptions.

The Colts will be rolling with a young safety room, but they learned plenty by watching McLeod each week during the 2022 season.

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