3 Potential Cleveland Browns safety targets in the 2022 NFL Draft
By Jacob Roach
A look at three safety prospects in the upcoming 2022 NFL draft that could be targeted by the Cleveland Browns this April.
It is no secret that Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods loves to use three safety sets. He has talked about this since he first arrived in Cleveland in 2020. Currently, the top two candidates for that third spot from 2021 are set to be free agents in Ronnie Harrison Jr. and M.J. Stewart.
There is a good chance that the Browns could want Stewart back after the successful season he had in 2021. Regardless of if Stewart is brought back, you can never have enough defensive backs in the modern-day NFL. The Browns saw a ton of injuries at times to the defensive backfield and adding one or more in the NFL Draft would be a great strategy.
There are a few really nice safety prospects that could be had on both Days two and three of April’s draft that could be a great fit in Woods’ scheme. The Browns already have safeties in John Johnson III and Grant Delpit that can play deep, in the box, and in the slot. Adding someone who can play center field and spy the quarterback is a must.
Cleveland Browns safety target No. 3: Kerby Joseph, Illinois
Kerby Joseph may be the perfect definition of a center field safety making him a perfect fit for the Browns. His ability to play single high and read the quarterback’s eyes and see the play develop are his best attributes. He has a knack for reading the play and then coming flying into the picture to break up the pass.
He has great ball skills and plays the ball in the air very well finishing this season with five interceptions and two passes defended. He stands at 6-foot-1 but is a little undersized at 190 lbs. He can struggle at times to shed blocks in the run game but does have the speed to react well if given a clear path to the ball carrier.
Though he may not project as a starter day one for the Browns he is an ideal fit to play deep behind Johnson and Delpit. The Browns could wait and take Joseph on Day three of the draft and add a really nice piece to an already strong secondary.