Cleveland Browns: 5 options to replace Tashaun Gipson
By Thomas Moore
In his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Walter Thurmond made the move from cornerback to free safety in 2015, finishing the season as Pro Football Focus’ 18th ranked safety.
It also marked the first season that Thurmond made a full 16 starts as he entered the year with just nine career starts due to a variety of injuries (he only played in two games in 2014 before landing in injured reserve). Not surprisingly, Thurmond posted career highs in interceptions (three), tackles (76), sacks (two) and forced fumbles (two).
Like Gipson’s situation with the Browns, Thurmond is unsure whether or not the Eagles want to retain him. And while he did fine with a position switch to safety, Thurmond’s heart may still be at the cornerback position.
“I was playing some cornerback today on scout team and I kind of miss playing corner and being out there,” he said in December. “It just depends on what teams value me at. I haven’t been at the cornerback position in about two years between last year going on IR and this year playing safety.”
Thurmond’s age, he will be 29 when the 2016 season kicks off, and injury history may not make him the top priority for the Browns, but at the right price he is a player the team could consider.
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