Cleveland Browns: The 2016 safeties

A great deal of talent will take the field in the defensive secondary for the Cleveland Browns in 2016.

The Cleveland Browns will be debuting two new starting safeties in the defensive backfield this season. The new faces will replace Tashaun Gipson and Cleveland native, Donte Whitner.

Defensive Coordinator Ray Horton will be making his return to Cleveland, after being the Browns defensive coordinator in 2013. Horton helped both Joe Haden and former Brown turned Super Bowl champion T.J. Ward reach their first Pro Bowls.

He also helped develop second-year undrafted free agent Tashaun Gipson into one of the most feared safeties in the NFL. Gipson was tied for fifth in interceptions in the entire NFL with five in 2013, finishing second the following year with six. Horton also helped get the Browns ranked eighth against the pass in 2013.

It’s 2016 and Ray Horton has returned, so fans want to know if he can do it again. Who will be the two new starters? Will it be a veteran who was already on the team, a newly signed free agent, or even a rookie? Whoever Horton chooses off this roster will be ready to play and excite.

The 2016 Safeties

Sean Baker was an undrafted free agent out of Ball State signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their practice squad in 2012. He played five games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2014. He has been on practice squads in Tampa Bay, Atlanta and Indianapolis. His best chance in Cleveland is the practice squad.

Odds Baker makes the team: 30 percent

Ibraheim Campbell was drafted by the Browns in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played in 15 games and started one in 2015. He registered 10 tackles and is only one of two players listed as a strong safety and is believed to be the front-runner for the starting strong safety position.

Odds Campbell makes the team: 95 percent

Don Jones was a seventh-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2013 NFL Draft. He played in 16 games, had 10 tackles and one forced fumble in his rookie season. In 2015 he played five games for the New Orleans Saints before the Browns signed him. His best chance to make the team is on special teams.

Odds Jones makes the team: 40 percent

Derrick Kindred was drafted by the Browns in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Texas Christian University, and is the only other player besides Campbell listed as a strong safety. Kindred was first team All-Big 12, recording 86 tackles and two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.

More from Dawg Pound Daily

Odds Kindred makes the team: 90 percent

Rahim Moore was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played in Denver until 2015 and during that time he played in 57 out of 64 games, started 48 of them, registered 8 interceptions and 228 tackles. He joined the Houston Texans in 2015 and started six games. He finished with 13 tackles and one interception, and will be competing for the starting free safety position.

Odds Moore makes the team: 90 percent

Jordan Poyer was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He finished the year with three tackles in as many games for the Eagles. The Browns signed him during the 2013 season, and he registered 18 tackles in nine games. Between 2014 and 2015 Poyer played in 30 games, started four, and recorded 59 tackles, one sack, two interceptions and one forced fumble. He will be competing for the starting free safety position.

Next: Corey Coleman cannot be a bust in 2016

Odds Poyer makes the team: 90 percent

Tim Scott was signed to the practice squad by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2015. His best opportunity is to be placed on the practice squad for the 2016 season.

Odds Scott makes the team: 10 percent

Home/Browns News