The Browns are about a month removed from the 2022 season and are making plans for improvements in 2023. Doing so, however, will require looking back at how each position fared, and we'll be doing that ourselves at ClevelandBrowns.com with a comprehensive breakdown of each spot on the roster.
Next up: the safeties
The Raw Numbers
Pass defense: 196.2 (5th in NFL)
Passing TDs allowed: 20 (T-5th best in NFL)
John Johnson III: 17 games, 101 tackles, 1 interception, 0.5 sack, 4 TFLs, 4 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles,
Grant Delpit: 17 games, 105 tackles, 4 interceptions, 10 pass breakups, 4 TFLs
Ronnie Harrison Jr.: 16 games, 24 tackles, 0.5 sack, 1 pass breakup
D'Anthony Bell: 16 games, 14 tackles
Analysis in 150 Words or Less
The Browns' top safeties played a key role in what statistically appeared to be a strong season by the secondary, but the group's year was clouded by a few costly big plays from blown coverages that cost the Browns games. The one that stung most was in Week 2, when the Browns allowed the Jets to hit on two passing touchdowns with less than two minutes remaining to steal a win. The Browns also allowed big pass plays on broken coverages against the Panthers, Patriots and Bengals in their second matchup in Week 14. Still, the safeties finished the season strong, and they were led by Delpit, who snagged three interceptions in the last three games and appeared to find another step in his game late in the year. He also led the defense in tackles and played all 17 games for the first time in his career.
High Point
The best game from a safety all season was Delpit's two-pick game in Week 17 against the Commanders. Both passes were on deep pass attempts from QB Carson Wentz, but Delpit was in good position to reach into the air and snag them both. They were Delpit's last two interceptions of the season, ensuring he'd finish the season with three picks in the last three games and end his third NFL season with a career-high four interceptions. Delpit and Johnson also combined for 14 tackles in one of the Browns' strongest defensive games of the year.
Low Point
The loss to the Jets was about as painful as it gets for any defense, and the Jets' comeback all started because of a blown 66-yard touchdown by the secondary. Delpit and CB Denzel Ward were the two closest defenders to WR Corey Davis when he caught a pass from QB Joe Flacco and had an easy walk into the end zone, a play that resulted due to miscommunication from the defense. That set the Jets up for an onside kick, which they recovered and proceeded to tear through the defense again in the final 80 seconds for a game-winning touchdown.
Who's Back for 2023?
Delpit, Johnson and Bell are all under contract for 2023.
Who's a Potential Free Agent?
Harrison is the only safety who could become an unrestricted free agent in March.
2023 Outlook
Delpit's continued growth will continue to be a big factor in how well the safeties perform next season. New additions could join him and Johnson in the room, too, depending on what the Browns do with Harrison's free agent status, and Bell — an undrafted rookie who made the team after training camp last season — could also receive more defensive looks after playing most of his first season on special teams. Safety isn't the Browns' top position of need, but it's certainly one that could see another key addition or two as the defense takes shape under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
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Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons on October 2, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Browns lost 20-23.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 4, 2022 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 27-14.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns on December 24, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 10-17.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 4, 2022 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 27-14.
Defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey (97) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons on October 2, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Browns lost 20-23.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills on November 20, 2022 at Ford Field. The Browns lost 23-31.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns on November 27, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 23-17.
Defensive end Chase Winovich (69) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 4, 2022 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 27-14.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns on October 16, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 38-15.
Safety John Johnson III (43) before a NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns on October 16, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 38-15.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons on October 2, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Browns lost 20-23.
Defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey (97) before a NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns on October 16, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 38-15.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 13-3.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins on November 13, 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium. The Browns lost 17-39.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium. The Browns lost 20-23.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 4, 2022 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 27-14.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) before a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 13-3.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 8, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium. The Browns lost 14-28.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) before a NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns on December 24, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 10-17.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 11, 2022 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 23-10.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) before a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on October 9, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 30-28.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons on October 2, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Browns lost 20-23.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns on October 9, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 30-28.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 11, 2022 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 23-10.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) before a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on September 22, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 29-17.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 8, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium. The Browns lost 14-28.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) before a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on September 22, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 29-17.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) before a NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns on December 24, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 10-17.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) before a NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns on October 16, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 38-15.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) before a NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns on December 24, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 10-17.
Defensive end Alex Wright (94) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 11, 2022 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 23-10.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium. The Browns lost 20-23.
