Cleveland Browns: 5 obstacles to success in 2018
By Joel W. Cade
How will the safeties develop?
Browns fans remember defensive coordinator Gregg Williams lining up his free safeties thirty yards off the ball. Part of the problem was a lack of a true free safety on the roster. Instead of playing a normal free safety in this role, Williams played then newly drafted strong safety Jabril Peppers there.
If the Browns will be successful next year, they will need to develop two starting safeties. This off season the Browns traded for former first round pick Damarious Randall. Randall was a free safety in college, but when he joined the Green Bay Packers, they immediately began playing him a cornerback due to his athleticism and urgent need at the position.
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Now Randall gets to return to his ‘natural’ position at free safety. But it is also a position he has never played in the NFL. There will be a learning curve for him. He will have to begin playing his natural position in a league where he has never played it. Randall’s ability to transition from cornerback to free safety will be a major factor in the Browns success next season.
Also, Jabril Peppers will begin playing strong safety. At this point in time, Derrick Kindred may be a better strong safety than Peppers. So starting Peppers is a gamble that he can develop the coverage skills necessary along with his ability to play in the box. It is a real gamble that Peppers will become a better player than Kindred.
But nonetheless, the development of Peppers will also be key to the Browns defense. If he can learn to cover tight ends (who seem to run wild on the Browns) and help in run support, his value to the defense will be enormous.
Finally, how will the wide receivers be used?