Cleveland Browns: 5 options to replace Tashaun Gipson
By Thomas Moore
Rodney McLeod has worked his way up special teams player to starting free safety for the Los Angeles Rams. While he has a tendency to make what ESPN refers to as “costly mistakes,” McLeod is also a solid three-year starter on the back end of a defense.
“We call Rodney McLeod our ‘angel’ back there, kind of our savior because when something breaks he’s got to make some unbelievable tackles to save touchdowns,” former Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis told the team’s website. “As aggressively as we play, when something does pop he has to be that angel to save us. I think, because we do play him so deep, people don’t realize how tough a job he does have. He’s done phenomenal.”
Like Gipson, McLeod entered the league as an undrafted free agent and finished the 2015 season as the 10th ranked free safety by Pro Football Focus. He’s been a part of an aggressive Rams defense, something that would play well in Cleveland, and during his time as a starter with the Rams has forced seven fumbles and picked off five passes.
In a thin market for safeties, and with the Rams having $44 million in salary cap space, if the Browns do show interest in McLeod they are going to face competition for him.
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