Film room study: What did Cleveland Browns get with Ronnie Harrison

Browns and Joe Woods gain versatility

As we already know, Joe Woods loves his safeties and loves to move them around in a variety of looks; Harrison just gives Woods another chess piece to manipulate the offense with. Watching the Jaguars’ Week 7 and Week 15 matchups, it was impossible not to notice the versatility in Harrison’s alignment in those games.

Despite carrying a larger frame, Harrison spends a great deal of time in single-high looks, meaning he is the only safety at the third level of the defense. However, he is aligned in two-high looks and at the second level as a nickel or dime linebacker as well with heavy frequency for the Jaguars, with the ability to stack the box as well.

Given the lack of depth and inexperience at the linebacker position as well in Cleveland, especially with the injury to Mack Wilson and Woods’ spoken desire to run a large quantity of nickel and dime packages, Harrison looks to be an asset in that regard for the Browns after coming over from Jacksonville in the recent trade.

The one area of his game where he does not show a tremendous amount of versatility is in the slot. While this would be an asset for the Browns to pounce on, look for the likes of Sendejo or Redwine to take over that nickel role in safety-heavy packages. If he is healthy, cornerback Kevin Johnson looks to have that role on lock.

We now know he has the ability to line up in a variety of looks, but how does he fair in coverage and in run support?