Browns: Stock up/stock down after Week 17 victory
The Cleveland Browns are attempting to finish the season on a high note. The Browns turned it on in the second half to defeat the Washington Commanders, 24-10. Now, we break down which players saw their stock rise and which players are trending downward.
It was a tale of two halves. In the first half, the Cleveland Browns couldn’t get out of their own way. It was a master class in self-sabotage. However, in the second half, the prince that was promised showed up and the team played complimentary football. The end result: the Browns left Landover, Maryland with a much-needed victory, 24-10.
Now the victory didn’t do anything in terms of playoff aspirations, those died on a frozen field back on Christmas Eve. But the win, and the nature of which they attained it, was invaluable in terms of righting the ship and demonstrating what the team is capable of going forward. Now it’s time to break down whose stock is on the rise after the victory and whose stock is on the decline.
Stock up/stock down following Browns win over Washington
Stock up No. 3: Grant Delpit
The Browns have themselves a dude on their hands. Over the course of the second half of this season, Grant Delpit has been playing like the player that he was drafted to be. The safety has been stacking plus plays games as of late, but his performance against the Commanders was the best of his young career.
It’s inarguable that since the bye week Delpit has been the team’s best run defenders. Not just out of the safeties or the defensive back room, but on the entire defense. And while that trend continued against Washington, Delpit demonstrated his ability to play center field at an equally high level.
The third-year safety picked off Carson Wentz twice. While you would be hard-pressed to find someone that would tell you that either of Wentz’ throws was a good decision, it doesn’t take away from Delpit’s ability to capitalize on the gunslinger’s mistakes.
The first interception came early in the second quarter as Wentz attempted a deep shot down the middle to Curtis Samuel. The receiver was carried to the deep middle by linebacker Deon Jones, allowing Delpit to maintain top-side leverage. From there it was all athleticism and technique, Delpit got his head around, located the ball, and effortlessly undercut the throw to secure the interception. Textbook.
The second of Delpit’s interceptions came as Wentz and Washington became desperate late in the fourth quarter when they were down 24-10. Washington had a first-and-10 from the Cleveland 40-yard line, and Wentz took a deep shot to rookie Jahan Dotson. Delpit was again patrolling the deep middle of field, recognized the shot play, flipped his hips, and tracked the ball. Dotson was well covered by Martin Emerson, allowing Delpit a clear path to the ball and he notched his second interception of the contest.
On the afternoon, Delpit played all 69 defensive snaps, and tallied seven total tackles including one tackle for loss, and two interceptions.