Grading Dane Brugler’s 2021 Browns 7-round mock draft

Round 5, pick 169: Darrick Forrest, UC, S

Grade: A

The Browns have placed a great deal of resources in their safety position over the last year and a half.  They drafted Grant Delpit in the second round of last year’s draft, traded for Jaguars up-and-comer Ronnie Harrison and then signed highly regarded free agent John Johnson last March.

The Browns are expected to place a great deal of emphasis on safety, deploying three at a time while playing two linebackers.

With that in mind, the Browns need to have bodies at the position, as Harrison was injured multiple times last season, while Delpit missed the season following a training camp injury.

Forrest would be an excellent addition to the defense, because he’s someone who can play close to the line of scrimmage. He’s capable of dropping back into coverage, but he’s probably better suited as a down safety.  NFL.com’s Lance Zeirlein described him as an “alpha defender” against the run.

In his final season, Forrest picked off two passes while breaking up six others.