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5 Early Cleveland Browns 2022 free agent targets

By Randy Gurzi

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 06: Marshon Lattimore #23 of the New Orleans Saints leaves the field following a 21-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 06: Marshon Lattimore #23 of the New Orleans Saints leaves the field following a 21-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 07: Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts following a pass interference call during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

3. Tyrann Mathieu, Safety

Heading into the 2021 season, the Cleveland Browns are set at safety. They just signed John Johnson III away from the Los Angeles Rams and he joins Ronnie Harrison, who was a steal for them after being acquired in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Then, there’s Grant Delpit who was a second-round pick in 2020 but tore his Achilles and has yet to make his debut. He’s expected to be back by training camp but it wouldn’t be a shock to see him eased into the lineup.

So if there are three potential starting safeties on this roster, why even consider another? Simple — because it’s Tyrann Mathieu who just so happens to be one of the best in the NFL at what he does. A third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals back in 2013, Mathieu is entering his eighth NFL season and his third with the Chiefs. He’s also coming off one of his better campaigns.

Mathieu finished 2020 with 62 tackles, a career-high six picks, and his second career touchdown as well. He’s going to be 30-years old next season but he’s shown no signs of slowing down and could be a difference-maker for Cleveland.

As for their other safeties, the Browns want to operate with three safeties often and Harrison is a free agent after this season. Retaining him wouldn’t be a bad move at all, but Mathieu would definitely be an upgrade.

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