Report: Cleveland Browns have been in contact with Eric Berry, Tre Boston

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly in the market for a strong safety and have been in contact with two of the best remaining free agents at the position.

Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey said Monday the team has been in contact with the agents of free agent safeties Eric Berry and Tre Boston, according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.

The Browns are in the market for a starting strong safety after trading Jabrill Peppers to the New York Giants as a part of the Odell Beckham Jr. trade.

Both Berry and Boston have connections with members of the Cleveland Browns staff. During his time as the Kansas City Chiefs’ general manager, Dorsey signed Berry to a six-year, $78 million extension. Boston has played on a Steve Wilks coached defense for four seasons, including 2018 with the Cardinals.

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Since Dorsey signed Berry to the contract extension in 2017, Berry has played in only four total games. He tore his Achilles during the 2017 season. He then dealt with heel issues for most of the 2018 season.

In his nine-year career, Berry has played in 89 games, compiling 448 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, 14 interceptions (including five returned for touchdowns), and 51 passes defensed.

Berry’s last full season was in 2016 and started every game that season. He made 77 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), and nine passes defensed.

Boston has been able to stay on the field more consistently during his five-year career. He has played in 72 games, including 44 starts, making 262 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, 11 interceptions (one returned for touchdown), and 27 passes defensed.

Last season, Boston was a member of Wilks’ Arizona Cardinals. He played in 14 games, starting in 13, making 79 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, three interceptions, and nine passes defensed.

Berry fits the mold of the Browns need for a strong safety who can play closer to the line of scrimmage and help in the run game, but can also cover well. Boston plays more as a deep safety who is not as strong of a tackler, but excels in coverage.

The Browns have around $35 million in cap space, but that number will drop closer to $30 million after the draft. Cleveland would most likely sign either player to a one-year deal if they reach that point in negotiations.