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Cleveland Browns: 5 best remaining free agent fits ahead of 2021 camp

By Sam Penix

Dec 21, 2019; Tampa, Florida, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Gareon Conley (22) breaks up a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard (80) during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2019; Tampa, Florida, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Gareon Conley (22) breaks up a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard (80) during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indianapolis Colts free safety Malik Hooker (29) and cornerback Quincy Wilson (31 celebrate a defensive play in the first quarter of their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.Indianapolis Colts At Tennessee Titans At Nissan Stadium In Nashville Tenn Sept 15 2019 /

4. S Malik Hooker

Again, on paper, the Browns safety room looks really, really good. John Johnson III is one of the best safeties in the NFL. Ronnie Harrison Jr. is a versatile player who performed very well in his first season in Cleveland.

Grant Delpit is a special talent who missed his entire rookie campaign with a torn Achilles, the same injury Vernon suffered. He’s stated he expects to be fully healthy by camp, but it remains to be seen how quickly he’ll be brought along to protect his foot. Richard LeCounte and Sheldrick Redwine are talented young guys who should primarily be special teamers if they make the final roster.

It would be wise for the Browns to bolster the room so that if Delpit is unable to take on a large role right away, they aren’t forced to play Johnson and Harrison every snap or rely heavily on Redwine or LeCounte. It also may be worth taking a risk on a player like Malik Hooker, who has been excellent when he’s been on the field but has struggled with injuries, most recently a torn Achilles (surprise!) in Week 2 of 2020.

Hooker is a true centerfielder angel safety, something the Browns do not currently have. He has elite range, instincts, and ball skills, and is a true difference-maker on the back end. If he can stay healthy for a full season, he could be due for a nice contract, which would factor into the compensatory pick formula that Cleveland will be taking advantage of soon.

If Hooker can get healthy, he’d provide a dynamic that the Browns defense lacks, as well as potential compensation in the future.

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