Cleveland Browns draft profile: LSU safety Jamal Adams
By Kirk Binder
The Cleveland Browns secondary needs to improve, especially the safety positions. Jamal Adams is arguably the best safety in the 2017 NFL Draft, but as a projected Top 5 pick Cleveland may be an unlikely destination.
The Cleveland Browns defense was a mess in the 2016 NFL season. A lot of that had to do with inexperience, but much of it was also due to poor drafting and signings by the previous regimes.
Before the 2016 season began, Cleveland purged its roster of most of their veteran players in favor of giving their youngsters playing time. This was all part of the first phase of the rebuild the new regime is emphasizing.
Gone were the likes of Karlos Dansby, Donte Whitner, Paul Kruger and Tashaun Gipson. The lack of a veteran presence was felt as the Browns defense was among the worst in the NFL. They played a base 3-4 defense, but the players they drafted came from 4-3 college defenses, for the most part.
The injury bug set in early and often, which did not help the situation or the development of some of the younger players. The Browns season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers saw Tramon Williams (converting from cornerback) and Ed Reynolds as the starting safeties. Williams is no longer with the team, and Reynolds is a backup at best. Rookie Derrick Kindred was hurt for most of the season so it is too early to gauge his future. In his second season, Ibraheim Campbell failed to show he is starter material.
While the entire defense struggled it is the secondary that looks like it needs the most attention. The Browns went after a couple of safeties in free agency, Tony Jefferson and Bradley McDougald, but they signed elsewhere.
Holding the No. 1 overall pick Cleveland will, or should, pick the best player in the draft in Myles Garrett. Added pressure on the quarterback will help the secondary but safety is still a big need. Enter Jamal Adams from LSU.