Analyzing the Cleveland Browns depth chart at safety
By Randy Gurzi
Veteran offseason addition: Eric Murray
The most experienced backup safety for the Browns is Eric Murray, who was originally drafted by John Dorsey in 2016. A fourth-round pick out Minnesota, Murray played cornerback in college before converting to safety in the NFL. In three seasons, he’s appeared in 45 games with 11 starts. Nine of those starts came in 2017 when Murray had 55 tackles and his first career interception.
He was added in a trade with the Chiefs in exchange for Emmanuel Ogbah, who became expendable after they landed Olivier Vernon. Like Whitehead, Murray gives the Browns someone who can start in a pinch should something happen to either Damarious Randall or Morgan Burnett. However, where he will really shine is on special teams.
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An excellent gunner, Murray will help special teams coach Mike Priefer as he looks to correct one of the team’s biggest weaknesses in 2018.
Fourth-round Rookie: Sheldrick Redwine
Cleveland was expected to target a safety early in the draft, but that changed when they added Burnett so close to the draft. Instead of going for the position on day two — after sitting out day one due to the Odell Beckham, Jr. trade — they waited until the final day, which is where they found Miami’s Sheldrick Redwine.
At Miami, Redwine was an aggressive player who had 164 tackles and eight interceptions in his four-year career. He’s a developmental player, but there’s a lot about his game to like. As is the case with Murray, he’s going to be a big help on special teams thanks to his willingness to get after the ball carrier and play physically.