Cleveland Browns should be aggressive in free agency
By Greg Newland
Help in the secondary
With Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo likely both on the move after one-year deals, safety becomes a need for the Browns. Ronnie Harrison and Grant Delpit should both be starters next year, but defensive coordinator Joe Woods will make a huge push to play with five defensive backs, which makes the need for a ball-hawking safety even bigger.
The two names that the Browns seemed interested in all along last year were Anthony Harris of the Vikings and Justin Simmons of the Broncos. Both ended up playing on the franchise tag last year and appear likely to be on the move in 2021.
The 28-year-old Simmons is likely the better prospect of the two as he continues to improve and made his first pro-bowl in 2020. The free safety had 96 tackles, nine pass deflections, and five interceptions in 2020. Most importantly, Simmons has played in 16 games for three straight seasons.
Harris will be 30 in 2021 but also had a fine season with the Vikings last year. He had 104 tackles but didn’t have any interceptions after having six in the 2019 season. Pass deflections were down as well from 11 in 2019 to seven in 2020. Harris and Simmons are nearly identical in build, but Harris has shown more willingness to come into the box and make tackles when needed.
Truthfully, either player would be a huge upgrade for 2021 and safety is still a position that is underpaid compared to cornerback and defensive end, so Berry could be intrigued to go after a big name. Remember, head coach Kevin Stefanski will be familiar with Harris, which could give him the slight edge.