4 Browns players that must come up big in Preseason Week 1

No. 1 – Grant Delpit

Grant Delpit doesn’t make this list of Browns who need to play well in the first preseason game because he has been a disappointment so far. Delpit is on the list because this could easily be his breakout year.

After injuring himself in camp during the 2020 preseason and missing the entire regular season, 2021 was basically a rookie year for Delpit. The organization started him out slow, and he didn’t see a ton of snaps until later in the season. But one thing is for sure, he really started to play well down the stretch and was a big reason this defense played so well in the back half of the year.

No one should expect Delpit to play a ton on Friday night, but don’t be shocked to see Joe Woods get him some confidence early. If the starters do get a series or two, I think you will see at least one safety blitz and a few other play calls that bring Delpit down into the box where he can roam.

The first depth chart of the season tells me he has continued to progress as he is the starting safety with John Johnson and Ronnie Harrison as the third safety. Harrison was the starter for most of last season, so seeing him pass him already is a great sign.