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Cleveland Browns: Loaded safety class can help improve the secondary

By Eric Szczepinski

Oct 8, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) returns the interception during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) returns the interception during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

For the Browns to take pressure off their front seven the team must get help in the secondary. Currently on the roster at safety the Browns have a group of young, developing players.

Free Safety

  • Jordan Poyer– Poyer entered the 2016 season as the team’s starting free safety. However, he lacerated his kidney against Tennessee in Week 6 and missed the rest of the season. The 25-year-old Poyer has been a member of the Browns since 2013 where he primarily served on special teams and as a backup. Poyer received his first starting opportunity in the 2015 season and won the starting safety job in the offseason for the 2016 season. Poyer has provided depth and solid special teams play in his tenure with the Browns. But with the uncertainty with his latest injury the Browns need to look for playmaker at the position, while Poyer will provide solid depth.
  • Ed Reynolds– Reynolds was a 5th round draft choice out of Stanford selected by the Philadelphia Eagles. He was signed to the Browns practice squad in early September after failing to make the Eagles 53-man roster. After Poyer’s injury, Reynolds was activated to the Browns roster and started seven of the Browns’ final ten games. Coming into the Browns defensive system late, Reynolds did a solid job of filling in the second half of the season. He stabilized the struggling secondary and made a handful of plays down the stretch. Reynolds flashed the ability to fight for a backup role in 2017 with a full offseason with the team.

Strong Safety

  • Ibraheim Campbell– Campbell was selected by the Browns in the 4th round in 2015 out of Northwestern. He played special teams and received some playing time in his rookie year in 2015. This past year in 2016 Campbell was named a starter entering the season. Campbell had an inconsistent season in which some weeks he would play exceptionally more than other weeks. He often missed tackles and was caught out of position in the pass game. Campbell is still a young player going into his third professional season, but he must take the next step to be someone the defense can count on.
  • Derrick Kindred– Kindred, a rookie in 2016, was selected by the Browns out of TCU in the 4th round. Kindred worked his way into Ray Horton‘s safety rotation and flashed the ability to be a physical presence against the run. Kindred was putting together a solid season before suffering an injury during the Browns’ bye week forcing him to miss the rest of the season. With an offseason of development, Kindred could push for the starting strong safety position with his tough and physical style of play.

Additionally, veteran cornerback Tramon Williams and rookie Tracy Howard saw playing time at safety this season. I expect both return to corner in 2017 if the team adds new players at safety.

Here are some players the Browns should look to add at the safety position through the draft.

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