The Browns are about just under a week out from the start of training camp, which will kick off with their trip to The Greenbrier. To prepare for training camp, we're putting together a preview of each position on the roster. Let's take a look at the safeties as the next part of the series.

Safeties:

D'Anthony Bell

Brady Breeze

Grant Delpit

Chris Edmonds

Vincent Gray

Ronnie Hickman

Rodney McLeod Jr.

Juan Thornhill

What we know: The Browns brought back a key veteran to their safeties as they re-signed Rodney McLeod Jr. for his final season – which he announced on an appearance of NFL Network's "Total Access" in May – as well as extended Delpit in Dec. 2023. They have continuity and stability at safety from the 2023 season and can build off the success the unit had in their role of the Browns holding the best passing defense – limiting teams to just 164.7 passing yards per game.

The safeties dealt with different injuries throughout the 2023 season, as McLeod suffered a biceps injury and was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 21, which ended his season. Thornhill dealt with a lingering calf injury throughout the season, and Delpit sustained a groin injury in the latter half of the season and was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 13. However, in their absence, Bell and Hickman found ways to positively contribute to the defense and showcase their potential. Bell finished the 2023 season with 23 tackles, two interceptions and two passes defensed, while Hickman recorded 14 tackles, three passes defensed, one interception and one touchdown.

With a healthy group heading into the season, they have the necessary depth to the secondary with the veteran presence of McLeod and Delpit, Thornhill in his second year in the system, as well as anticipated growth from their younger players in Bell and Hickman.

The biggest question: How do Bell and Hickman build off their individual successes during the 2023 season? When Delpit and McLeod finished the 2023 season on injured reserve, both Bell and Hickman found a way to have an impact and showcase potential for the future.

That improvement has continued, as safeties coach Ephraim Banda said both Bell and Hickman improved over the offseason program as he spent time with them during the OTA practices and minicamp. However, with the healthy unit and the return of their top three safeties in Delpit, McLeod and Thornhill, both Bell and Hickman will have to work to find their spot in the rotation at safety.

The X-Factor: Delpit. Even with the groin injury at the end of the season, Delpit played a critical role in the success of the safeties in the secondary. He finished the season with 77 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks, one interception, three passes defensed and one fumble recovery. With the contract extension, Delpit will continue to have a prominent place in the Browns defense for the next several seasons.

The biggest number: 14. The total number of passes defensed by the safeties during the 2023 season. Their younger players in Bell and Hickman led the way for the Browns, as Bell recorded four pass breakups and Hickman had three passes defensed.

Says it all: "I have individual goals for each one of those players. We have a goal for the room, we have a goal for the defense. Our ultimate goal is to send Rod out a winner. His last game, we want it to be a win, bottom line. And if that happens, that's what we're shooting for. So definitely excited for him to be his last year. I was excited when I got the call that he was coming back." – safeties coach Ephraim Banda on McLeod's return for the 2024 season

How many were kept on the initial 53-man roster last year: 5