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Cleveland Browns completely overhauled defense heading into 2021

By J.T. Soderlund

Sep 20, 2018; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the New York Jets during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2018; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the New York Jets during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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John Johnson III. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Safety

The Browns’ biggest free-agent target this offseason was former Rams safety John Johnson III. He adds a ton to the defense’s covering ability while also contributing to the run game. Grant Delpit should also be seeing his first in-game action in the NFL after missing his entire rookie season with a torn Achilles.

Johnson and Delpit are significant upgrades over Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo last season. Ronnie Harrison is also entering his second season with the Browns, after a great season last year. He shined after the Browns traded a fifth-round pick to get him from Jacksonville.

Again, the safeties on the roster perfectly cater to what Joe Woods loves to do. As talked about earlier, Woods likes to minimize the number of linebackers on the field. Ideally, he replaces those linebackers with versatile safeties who can fill most of the role of a linebacker without sacrificing in the passing game.

Expect to see Johnson, Delpit, and Harrison on the field at the same time often throughout next season. This kind of defense is what Woods loves to run and has found the most success with. It is also what the roster is catered towards and allows for the best players to be on the field at all times.

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