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Cleveland Browns: 5 Remaining Free Agents targets heading into July

By Greg Newland

Dec 29, 2019; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Malik Hooker (29) reacts during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2019; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Malik Hooker (29) reacts during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson (22) breaks up a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) in the second quarter of the NFL 15 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. The Bengals led 17-0 at halftime.Pittsburgh Steelers At Cincinnati Bengals /

No. 1 – Steven Nelson, Cornerback

As I mentioned above, the secondary was killed with injuries last year for the Cleveland Browns, but cornerback may have been worst than safety. Greedy Williams didn’t play a snap, Denzel Ward missed four games, and nickel Kevin Johnson missed three games.

In the passing league of the NFL, it is tough to have your second and third corners on the field and have an effective game plan on defense.

Things will be different in 2021 with Williams getting healthy, the drafting of Greg Newsome, and the addition of Troy Hill, but I’m not sure that’s enough. With the injury history of Ward and Williams, the Browns may need an extra layer of security.

A guy like Steven Nelson could make a ton of sense as an insurance policy. Nelson has a ton of starting experience and has been a productive corner in the NFL. And while the Browns couldn’t guarantee him a ton of playing time, we all know something will happen that will allow him to see the field.

The big question before pulling the trigger on something like this, how healthy with Williams? Only Berry and Kevin Stefanski know the answer to this, but if there are any doubts, having a great backup option at corner becomes a necessity.

Next. Former Browns DE Carl Nassib is a trailblazer. dark

Remember, Newsome was great in college, but he has yet to even play a snap in the NFL. We can’t just assume he is going to live up to high expectations.

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