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Three Cleveland Browns who will be unsung heroes during 2020 season

By Greg Newland

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 10: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns leads his teammates out onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Buffalo Bills at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 10: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns leads his teammates out onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Buffalo Bills at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 22: Karl Joseph #42 of the Oakland Raiders tackles Irv Smith #84 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2019, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 22: Karl Joseph #42 of the Oakland Raiders tackles Irv Smith #84 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2019, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Karl Joseph – Safety

No position on the Browns has been depleted like safety this offseason. Damarious Randall, Juston Burris, and Eric Murray left in free agency. Morgan Burnett was released after suffering a serious injury last season and Jermaine Whitehead was released for threatening fans on social media during last season. Five guys who were contributors last season are now off the roster. While that will be difficult to manage, Karl Joseph is set up to have a big year in Cleveland.

After being a surprising first-round pick (14th overall) by the Raiders in 2016, the big-hitting Joseph hasn’t quite lived up to expectations thus far in the NFL. In 2018, there was speculation Joseph would be traded before the trade deadline after playing a limited number of snaps the first half of the season. After the halfway point and not being traded, Joseph picked up his game and was a top performer on the Raiders defense. Joseph picked that up in 2019, starting the first nine games of the season before injuring his foot on an interception return and being placed on injured reserved.

Joseph is a hard-nosed safety who loves to lay the hammer to opposing receivers and running backs. Paired with the ball-hawking rookie Grant Delpit, Joseph is set up to make a huge impact as the starting strong safety in 2020. Joseph won’t be expected to play a ton of man coverage, except on tight ends, but he will spend a lot of time inside the box helping the undermanned linebacking core, which is his strength.

Next. The unknown savior in Cleveland. dark

Joseph is a prime example of someone who needs a fresh start and Cleveland is the perfect opportunity for that. Look for Joseph to finish the year with at least 80 tackles and two interceptions, which would be a huge boost for this defense. Joseph may not always pop on the film and Delpit will steal some attention as a rookie, but if you watch closely, he could be a difference-maker in 2020.

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