Cleveland Browns build dominant secondary in 7-round mock draft

Round 1, Pick 14: Grant Delpit, S, LSU

Let’s face it: unless Damarious Randall’s play drops significantly to where the Browns can leverage him to ask for less money, there is a good chance that he is walking. Randall wants to be paid like a top safety in the league, and given the deal the Tennessee Titans gave Kevin Byard at $14.5 million annually, the Browns should rightfully be unwilling to budge.

However, as The Draft Network’s mock draft machine has the Browns picking 14th (they will be unlikely to pick within the top 15 come April), the best safety in the class fell right into their laps. While offensive tackle is a huge need for the Browns, how can you pass up a talent like Delpit if he is available?

Even if the Browns do manage to re-sign Randall, strong safety still remains an issue as Jermain eWhitehead has played just one good game this year (and a whole lot of awful ones including a disasterous performance against the Niners) and Morgan Burnett remains just a serviceable veteran. Delpit would give the Browns a Jabrill Peppers mold of a safety who could play over the top, or in the box, and he may be even more physical than Peppers was.

Listed at 6-2 and 200 pounds, Delpit has the size and length to make plays all over the field; just picture the LSU product placed in the position Whitehead is now, except playing it well on a more consistent basis. This is the big play potential that Delpit could bring to the Browns if he finds his way to Cleveland.