Cleveland Browns: 5 options to replace Donte Whitner
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns are in the market for a strong safety after releasing Donte Whitner. Here are five options to consider.
The Cleveland Browns entered their latest rebuilding project with holes littering the roster.
The front office created another need over the weekend when they released veteran safety Donte Whitner, who had spent two years with the Browns after signing in free agency in 2014.
Whitner’s play was on the decline throughout last season, so while timing of his release was a bit surprising, the fact that he is the latest to join the ex-Browns brigade is not. Still, he started 14 games last fall for the Browns and his exit leaves a hole that Cleveland does have to fill.
The Browns are now without both of their starting safeties from last year after Whitner’s release and Tashaun Gipson heading to the Jacksonville Jaguars. While the Browns subsequently signed Rahim Moore in free agency to compete with fourth-year incumbent Jordan Poyer to take over Gipson’s spot, the options to fill Whitner’s place at strong safety are a little bit more murkier.
With free agency over for the most part, the Browns will have to focus on their internal options as well as the 2016 NFL Draft, where the team holds 10 selections.
Here are five options that the team can explore to ensure they have a strong safety on the field when the 2016 NFL season kicks off this fall.
Next: Ibraheim Campbell