During their Monday night game in Week 2 against a division rival in the Steelers, S Grant Delpit made an impressive play to force the first turnover of the season for the Browns. On the Steelers' first possession, Delpit made a diving interception on third down, which put the Browns in the red zone.
It's one of the many defensive plays he's made in his third season in the NFL. Pro Bowl voting is open, and the Browns have several defensive players that could make the game this season. Delpit is one of those players looking to make his first-ever Pro Bowl.
In his third season in the NFL, Delpit has only missed two games in his career, which came in his rookie season. After starting only seven out of 15 games his rookie year, Delpit started 16 out of 17 games for the Browns in his second season.
He ended his sophomore campaign with four interceptions, 105 tackles and 10 pass deflections. This season, Delpit has taken more of a leadership role by taking pride in not giving up plays and doing what's best for the team.
"My biggest improvement is being that leader on the defense that makes everyone around me better," Delpit said. "Good players make plays, but great players make others around them better."
LB Anthony Walker Jr. continues to have a major impact both on and off the field for the Browns, as he was nominated for the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award – which acknowledges NFL players who excel on the field and demonstrate a passion for creating a lasting impact beyond the game in their communities. He was also selected by his teammates as the Browns 2023 Ed Block Courage Award recipient – which is given annually to a member of each NFL team who best exemplifies the qualities of Ed Block, based on courage, compassion, commitment and community.
2023 Deck the House, an annual fundraiser for Providence House on December 5, 2023 in the 7up City Club at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
2023 My Cause My Cleats Photoshoot - Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) - Stay in the Game! Network
AWalk's Turkey Bowl Classic at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 20, 2023.
AWalk's Turkey Bowl Classic at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 20, 2023.
2023 Deck the House, an annual fundraiser for Providence House on December 5, 2023 in the 7up City Club at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The Cleveland Browns Foundation and Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) visited Shaker Heights Middle School on September 5, 2023.
2023 Summer Blitz on June 27, 2023 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
2023 Deck the House, an annual fundraiser for Providence House on December 5, 2023 in the 7up City Club at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Nationwide Walter Payton Man of the Year surprise for Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 22, 2023.
2023 Deck the House, an annual fundraiser for Providence House on December 5, 2023 in the 7up City Club at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Nationwide Walter Payton Man of the Year surprise for Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 22, 2023.
The Cleveland Browns Foundation visited Maple Leaf Elementary School where students had the opportunity to design cleats for players supporting Stay in the Game on October 31, 2023.
2023 Deck the House, an annual fundraiser for Providence House on December 5, 2023 in the 7up City Club at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Nationwide Walter Payton Man of the Year surprise for Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 22, 2023.
The Cleveland Browns Foundation visited Milkovich Middle School on May 16, 2023.
2023 Summer Blitz on June 27, 2023 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
Nationwide Walter Payton Man of the Year surprise for Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 22, 2023.
2023 Deck the House, an annual fundraiser for Providence House on December 5, 2023 in the 7up City Club at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
2023 Deck the House, an annual fundraiser for Providence House on December 5, 2023 in the 7up City Club at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Browns Players toured EDWINS and then ate dinner on October 10, 2023.
The Cleveland Browns Foundation visited Maple Leaf Elementary School where students had the opportunity to design cleats for players supporting Stay in the Game on October 31, 2023.
Nationwide Walter Payton Man of the Year surprise for Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 22, 2023.
Nationwide Walter Payton Man of the Year surprise for Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 22, 2023.
The Cleveland Browns Foundation and Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) visited Shaker Heights Middle School on September 5, 2023.
Nationwide Walter Payton Man of the Year surprise for Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 22, 2023.
2023 Deck the House, an annual fundraiser for Providence House on December 5, 2023 in the 7up City Club at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
2023 Halloween Fashion Show on October 30, 2023 in the Kardiac Club at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The Cleveland Browns Foundation visited Maple Leaf Elementary School where students had the opportunity to design cleats for players supporting Stay in the Game on October 31, 2023.
The Cleveland Browns Foundation and Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) visited Shaker Heights Middle School on September 5, 2023.
The Cleveland Browns Foundation and Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) visited Shaker Heights Middle School on September 5, 2023.
The Cleveland Browns Foundation visited Milkovich Middle School on May 16, 2023.
This season, Delpit has 74 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery through 12 games. Pro Football Focus has rated him the 13th-best safety in the AFC. Despite what the analytics say about Delpit, the film shows him being where he needs to be on the field, making tackles and not getting beaten for touchdowns.
"Cut the tape on," Delpit said. "NFL is about giving up plays, and if you are not giving up plays, then you are playing at a high level. It's hard not to give up plays in the NFL. Sometimes the ball finds guys, but if you are not giving up plays, you are playing at a high level."
According to PFF, Delpit was leading all safeties in defensive stops with 22 through the first nine weeks of the season. He is also in the top five in tackles amongst safeties in the AFC. Delpit is a big reason why the Browns have only given up 2,078 passing yards this season, which leads the NFL.
Delpit's ability to see things before they happen is one of the traits his teammates love about his game. His understanding of football helps him be in the right spots to make plays.
"He flies around and is one of the engines for this defense," CB Martin Emerson Jr. said. "His style of play is physical, and he gets to the ball. That's him, relentless and resilient."
Delpit spoke about what making the Pro Bowl meant to him, but he wanted to reassure everyone that winning was still his top priority.
"Pro Bowl is a reflection on what you do on the field," Delpit said. "It says your peers respect you, fans respect you and that you are making plays all over. It feels good just to be in the conversation of getting there. Everybody wants to make it, but I want to win also. With winning comes that and if I make it, I make."
