Ranking and grading every defensive back on the Cleveland Browns ahead of training camp

The Cleveland Browns get their cornerbacks and safeties examined this time around.

We’re continuing our march through the roster as the preseason looms overhead. The Cleveland Browns are attempting to muster a Super Bowl team but do they have the parts right now to really warrant such a conversation? Well, we’ve gone through the quarterbacks, ball carriers, receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, and the linebackers, and so far, so…meh.

Will the safeties and corners be much of an upgrade over years past? Honestly, the answer is no. The team has done a lot of damage to their secondary this offseason, namely trading away Troy Hill, the team’s best tackling cornerback, and letting cornerback turned safety MJ Stewart leave in free agency.

Those two departures hurt the team, and hurt the secondary.

This is going to be an evaluation of a thin cornerback squad, and a group of safeties that all have the same, soul-destroying, hate-fueling, career-ending word attached to them; potential. So because of that, a proper evaluation will be harder to achieve.

Now, remember, these aren’t the final grades of a guy’s career, only where they’re going based on prior years. These grades can and will change for the most part as the year goes on.

The Boilerplate Stuff

"The below grades are intended for individual talent evaluations only. Letter grades are given “+” or “-” to determine exactly where they rank among others in that grade. For instance, an A- is a Pro Bowler, an “A” is your top-of-the-class, All-Pro type, while an “A+” is for your guys playing at a Hall of Fame level. INC – Given to expected practice squad players with little-to-no tape on them F –expected to be out of the league before the end of his rookie contract D – practice squad guy C – could get minutes as a backup B – starter A – among the league’s best Positional grades are more optics related. In that regard here’s how that would break down; F – Position is a determinate to the team and talent is needed. D – Not a very talented group/too many unknowns. C – League average, can win with them but will also lose with them. B- A strength on the team. A – Among the league’s very best."