Cleveland Browns Look to Add a Safety in NFL Draft

In 2012 the Cleveland Browns tried safeties Eric Hagg, Usama Young, and Tashaun Gipson opposite incumbent starter T.J. Ward, with none of them quite making the grade.

Ward, who will be entering his fourth season, is set to start, but the Browns may try to add someone in the draft who can solidify the safety tandem.

Teams can have up to 30 pre-draft visits and the Browns are set to bring in former South Carolina safety D.J. Swearinger according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. In addition, some mock drafts have the Browns selecting Bacarri Rambo, another safety, from the University of Georgia in the third or fourth round.

Dee Milliner is a possibility to join the Browns defensive backfield at the number six spot in the NFL draft.  If they add a safety, they may have two rookie starters in the defensive backfield. Fans can expect an improved pass rush to help the development of rookies in the defensive backfield, and give this defense the opportunity to be aggressive from day one behind coach Ray Horton’s attacking scheme.  The Browns are weighing the need for a corner, and the possibility of adding a dynamic pass-rushing linebacker in the first round. Fortunately, Milliner’s level of talent dictates that taking him anywhere in the draft is not reaching for need. He has been mentioned to be picked anywhere in the top-five.

The 2013 NFL draft may be the ideal time to solidify the defensive backfield, given the boost that the pass rush received in free-agency. This is a team that still wants to build from the draft, and after making solid decisions in free-agency, they have the opportunity to fill remaining starting roles in April.