3 free safeties Cleveland Browns should consider in 2022 NFL Draft
Cleveland Browns safety target No. 1: Nick Cross (Rounds: 3-4)
The first safety on this list is not a pure free safety. Maryland’s Nick Cross has way more than the prerequisite athleticism necessary to play the deep third of the field, but much like Delpit he can do so much more.
From an athletic framework perspective, Cross lands in the elite territory. At six-foot even and 212lbs, Cross has the type of explosion that is usually limited to defensive backs with smaller statures. Cross clocked a 4.34 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine with a 37-inch vertical and a 130-inch broad jump. Insane metrics from a safety that carries the mass that Cross does.
Cross’ ability to click and close at the catch point, combined with his ability to track balls over the top, makes him an ideal candidate to rotate in the deep third with Delpit. The majority of Cross’ time at Maryland was spent patrolling the back end as a single high safety which would only aid his transition to the professional ranks.
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Although the learning curve will be steep, Cross’ sheer athleticism will only help him see playing time faster in sub-packages.
However, that elite athleticism covered up many of the safety’s flaws in college that could be exposed in the NFL if left unchecked. Cross, for as physically gifted as he is, has a tendency to not bring his hips in run support and often drags ball carriers down. But with a few adjustments to his technique, Cross could be a full-time starter by year two.