Cleveland Browns: 5 options to replace Donte Whitner
By Thomas Moore
Ohio State’s Vonn Bell is projected to be a second-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft and would prove to be a popular, and possibly effective, option for the Browns at strong safety.
The 5-foot-11, 199-pound safety was a nickel back for the Buckeyes as a true freshman before starting 14 games in 2014, ending the season with 92 tackles, six interceptions and six passes defensed. During his final year in Columbus in 2015 he earned second team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and first team honors from the media. He was also named a first team All-American.
In addition, CBS Sports points out that Bell “held his own on an island, showing athleticism, timing and savvy that translates well to the next level,” and compared him, ironically enough, to Gipson.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com:
"Though lacking in desired size and physicality, Bell has the ability to match up in space and is at his best when keeping the action in front of him where he combines his vision, reactive quickness and ball skills to go make plays on the ball. Bell lacks size and isn’t an aggressive tackler so he needs to prove he can run so that he locks in his draft positioning as one of the top free safeties in this draft."
Bell’s lack of commitment against the run has raised questions and adding a player like that to a defense that has been near the bottom of the league in run defense may be a dicey idea. But Bell’s ability as a pass defender may be enough for teams to convince themselves they can live with the occasional missed tackle.
Next: Southern Utah's Miles Killebrew