Regardless if it makes sense or not, it’s time to bring Joe Haden home

It’s time to bring Joe Haden home to the Cleveland Browns.

Common sense be darn, it’s time to bring Joe Haden home. The cornerback was a Cleveland Browns standout for years before a foolhardy decision to let go of the Pro Bowl cornerback. Haden ended up in Pittsburgh for the last five years, proving he was still a Pro Bowl corner. His best days a corner may be over, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t still have value.

Admittedly, there is good reason to not pursue the former Browns player. Haden plays a position the Browns have more than enough at. We’re talking Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, Greg Newsome, and Troy Hill. Four guys who are starting-caliber to Pro Bowl-caliber players.

Haden might be the fourth-best player at his position. That’s not exactly a player the team needs.

Not only that, but the Browns are currently in salary cap hell thanks to the trade with Amari Cooper. The team has no more money to spend unless they end up cutting players. There is talk that Haden may want a big deal. The Browns, even if they cut or restructure contracts, won’t be in the market for Haden in that regard.

This is a pipe-dream, a fantasy more than anything. Yet, it’s one that does have some potential of working if they were to go ahead and do it. No, I’m not talking about signing Joe Haden the cornerback. I’m talking about signing Joe Haden the safety.

Corners switching to safety is a thing that happens

It may seem baffling, but think about it; it worked for M.J. Stewart. The Browns moved him from corner to safety and he became the team’s best player at that position. Historically it worked out well for some Hall of Famers too, Rod Woodson made the move from corner to safety and extended his career by five years. He went to four Pro Bowls on two teams. Even won a Super Bowl.

Then there’s Aeneas Williams, the former Arizona Cardinals great. He too moved from corner to safety with great results. So why not Haden? He’s turning 33, and Woodson and Williams were 34 and 35 respectively when they made the switch. All three men were Pro Bowlers and all three men were able to give their respective teams genuine help at positions of need.

The Browns don’t need corners, but they need safeties. Haden as a safety would give the Browns a true ball-hawking centerfielder and they need that. Stewart showed he can play the run, and John Johnson may still have value, but they need a genuine other option, especially if Stewart leaves or Johnson gets traded.

So I ask again, why not Haden?