Five safeties Cleveland needs to consider signing

The extent of veteran Rodney McLeod’s passing is greater than appears.

Every team is prepared to go into the playoffs and possibly win a division title when the season kicks off.

It takes experiences, though, to truly come together as a team. At that point, the veterans are counted on to assemble and concentrate the roster. They are aware that things happen, and what transpires next determines whether the franchise can carry on or fail.

The Cleveland Browns have already lost four starters for the remainder of the season: Jakeem Grant, Deshaun Watson, Nick Chubb, and RT tackle Jack Conklin. LB Jacob Phillips, OG Drew Forbes, WR Michael Woods, CB Cameron Mitchell, and Jordan Kunaszyk are among the backups.

Subsequently, following Sunday’s triumph against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the coaching staff was informed that S Rodney McLeod would be included in this list.

While the others are undoubtedly tragic, McLeod led this outstanding defense with unwavering steadiness. Trey pass interceptions, sacks, tackles, or any other defensive number was not being used to evaluate the seasoned veteran’s surprisingly excellent season. On the field, he served as a coach, tutor, and defensive coordinator.

During the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh’s victory, McLeod sustained a biceps injury that will require surgery to heal. Since then, he has been placed on injured reserve, where he will stay for the duration of the season. Juan Thornhill, the other starting safety, missed the Steelers game due to a calf injury, which made the situation even worse.

Other than Vincent Gray and Tanner McCallister from the practice squad, D’Anthony Bell and rookie Ronnie Hickman will now play alongside starter Grant Delpit as the team’s safeties.

The Browns placed McLeod on injured reserve on Tuesday, and since they haven’t signed a player to replace him, a roster slot is available. The Browns should explore the free-agent market in order to bolster the depth of the safety room.

It’s not like this new player needs to start right away or even receive a ton of snaps. However, there would be an additional warm body to occupy the role. It’s possible that Bell and Hickman will replace McLeod, but that’s not guaranteed. Maybe the Browns will just add McCallister or Gray to the starting lineup. They will have to sign someone if not.

Here are five safeties Cleveland could sign to the active roster:

Landon Collins (6’-0”, 225 pounds)

Age: 29

Collins, a former New York Football Giants second-round selection, got off to a quick start. In high school, he excelled in track and was a five-star football recruit. Following an outstanding career at Alabama, where he was named Unanimous All-American, he was selected to the First Team All-Pro in 2016 and has been named to the Pro Bowl three times.

He is an excellent tackler who finished his first four seasons in the league with 112, 125, 104, and 96 total tackles along with eight interceptions. After that, he agreed to a six-year, $84 million deal with Washington, where he mostly served as a hybrid linebacker/safety. He had 117 tackles in his rookie campaign. Due to a foot ailment in 2021, he was limited to seven appearances and 81 tackles. He was a post-June 1 release following the season.

Collins only appeared in six games with one start after re-signing with the Giants. Ninety-five games played, 95 starts, 12 picks, 691 total tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 17 QB hits, 5 forced fumbles, 41 pass defenses, and two defensive touchdowns comprise his career stats. In2022, he received a Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 65.0.

LaMarcus Joyner (5’-8”, 185 pounds)

Age: 32

Joyner was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. Joyner was a two-time first team all-ACC selection and an All-American at Florida State.

Although he is a consistent tackler, he has never been able to surpass the 100 tackles in a season; his best season total was 78. He was a 2021–2022 player for the New York Jets, recording 57 tackles, three interceptions, and six batted passes in the previous season. In the 40, his pace is 4.55.

Joyner’s PFF score in 2022 was 57.0. His run defense, in which he consistently enters the game for a safety, is the play’s strongest aspect. In the slot or free safety, he performs well. Joiner has good hands and can read plays quickly. He struggles against larger receivers and doesn’t have exceptional speed. His choices for some plays are wildly inconsistent. He is a return man as well.

Andrew Adams (5’-11”, 205 pounds)

Age: 31

Adams is now a member of the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. Since the Browns recently cut RB John Kelly, Adams has an opening on both the PS and the main roster.

He was an undrafted free agent when he entered the league in 2016 from UConn, where he recorded 262 career tackles and 12 forced fumbles. While playing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, he was awarded a Super Bowl ring.

He had a successful season in 2022 with the Tennessee Titans, recording 62 tackles, one pick, and three pass defenses. Adams is a powerful and capable team leader. Despite his lack of vertical skill, he is versatile because he can move around the secondary.

Logan Ryan (5’-11”, 195 pounds)

Age: 32

Ryan was a former All-American who won two Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots. He is a seasoned pro who is capable of taking the coach’s place on the field.

After missing time due to a foot ailment, he played for the Buccaneers the previous season and recorded 37 tackles in six starts. He has 117 total tackles the previous season while playing for the Giants. He is effective against the run and a confident tackler. He has a 4.56 40 time.

Ryan has twice exceeded the 100-tackle threshold in numerous really successful seasons. 742 total tackles, 19 interceptions, 13 sacks, 98 pass defenses, 15 forced fumbles, and 26 quarterback hits are among his career totals. His PFF score for 2022 was 69.1.

He can man cover and has excellent ball skills. Fantastic against the run with a wealth of knowledge. He is not as swift as he once was, and he does need to work on his jam skills. Ryan is a reliable defender, though.

Andrew Sendejo (6’-1”, 210 pounds)

Age: 36

When Sendejo said during this year’s training camp that the Browns wouldn’t make the playoffs without him, it made headlines around the country. Juan Thornhill, a safety for the Browns now, responded.

Given that every Browns fan hated him for being a bad tackler while he played for Cleveland, the post he wrote on Instagram was really funny. He was just not very good when thrown into a bigger position with the defense.