3 free safeties Cleveland Browns should consider in 2022 NFL Draft

Cleveland Browns safety target No. 2: JT Woods (Rounds 4-5)

On day three of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Browns could take a true ball hawking-free safety in Baylor’s JT Woods. A rangy athlete that played every safety alignment possible at Baylor, Woods is an ideal candidate to help free up Grant Delpit.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Woods measured at 6-foot-2 and 192lbs. His 4.36-second 40-yard dash, 39.5-inch vertical leap, and 128-inch broad jump help paint the picture to what this 21-year-old prospect can become. When you match his physical metrics with his college production, eight interceptions in his last two seasons at Baylor, Woods is a defensive coordinator’s dream.

Woods’ speed, length, long arms, and sticky hands make him a contender to see playing time from day one. As with most defensive back rookies selected on day three, Woods will have to prove himself on special teams first, but a special athlete with natural turnover capabilities are not a dime a dozen. If Woods can pick up the scheme fast enough, it is likely that he would be used in heavy rotation by season’s end.

There are areas of his game that need refinement though. Woods has a tendency to get caught in the trash and has difficulty disengaging blockers in run support. The safety prospect also needs to work on gauging his pursuit angles if he is tasked with being the last line of defense. Overall, most of Woods’ shortcomings can be corrected through technique and discipline.

If the Browns walked away from day three with Woods as part of their haul, they could have a diamond in the rough on their hands.