Browns Options at Slot Defender
The Browns have been able to address most of the holes on their roster, but they still need to find a feasible slot defender. There's a chance that they could still add another one in free agency, but this year's draft class is full of players who project to be great slot defenders at the next level.
Though A.J. Green was retained and Michael Ford was signed in free agency, Cleveland has reason to add another slot defender that can contribute in 2023. The Browns play against a lot of impactful slot receivers on a yearly basis including Tyler Boyd in their own division. If they don't find someone that's able to defend these types of players, then it could end up being another long season for the defense. They can't allow this situation to be this year's version of the 2022 defensive tackle disaster.
There is also a good chance that Grant Delpit has a strong season in 2023, and then "prices" himself out of a new deal with Cleveland. It would be ideal if they're able to kill 2 birds with 1 stone by drafting someone who's able to play in the slot this year, and then transition to strong safety in 2024 in place of Delpit.
Here are the current slot options for Cleveland that they currently have on the roster and in the upcoming 2023 NFL draft.
Current roster options:
A.J. Green - 6'2" 198 lbs, 4th season with Browns
2022 Slot Snaps: 75
2022 Stats: 18 tackles, 1 pass deflection, 1 interception
PFF Grade: 43.6
A.J. Green has been a pleasant surprise since signing with the team as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2020. He has played no more than 22% of total defensive snaps per season, but has adequate when lining up inside in Nickel and Dime situations.
He's a bigger corner that does a great job of using his length and physicality in press situations. Though he doesn't have the best long speed, he's able to recover due to his overall length. So far throughout his career, he has been productive when he's able to keep the "game" in front of him and be able to use his route anticipation and size to his advantage.
Michael Ford - 6'0" 194 lbs, 1st season with Browns
2022 Slot Snaps: 50
2022 Stats: 15 tackles
PFF Grade: 64.6
Ford was signed in March to provide cornerback depth, and because of his excellent special teams play as a "gunner" on punts and kickoffs. He was utilized mostly in the slot when he was playing defense for Atlanta in 2022, and played decently well there. He only allowed a completion rate of 28.6% and an overall passer rating of 46.1 while being targeted last season.
Ford is a great athlete that has above average agility and foot speed. He's able to stay on the hip of receivers out of breaks and does a good job of attacking the football in the air. He also times his jumps well at the catch point.
Thomas Graham Jr. - 5'10" 196 lbs, 2nd season with Browns
2022 Slot Snaps: 32
2022 Stats: 6 tackles
PFF Grade: 70.6
Graham was signed to the Browns' active roster from the Chicago Bears' practice squad on September 13, 2022. He participated in 7 games for Cleveland last season on special teams, but only one game on defense. He was lined up in the slot on 86% of those defensive snaps.
He has great play strength and physicality throughout each rep and is willing to step up and throw his body around in run support. Due to his physical nature and instincts, Graham is effective in defending the quick game and throwing off timing routes.
2023 NFL Draft Options
CB Clark Phillips III, Utah - 5'9", 184 Lbs.
Phillips III is one of the most instinctive and playmaking defensive backs in the entire class. He's technically sound, scrappy, and has a nose for the football. His most attractive trait is his knowledge and football IQ. He knows how to read routes and attack the football using the best possible angles. He also does a great job of planting his foot and driving back to the football when defending hitch and curl routes. Despite his size, he plays with a good amount of physicality both at the line of scrimmage and in open space.
S Jammie Robinson, Florida State - 5'11", 191 Lbs.
Robinson is an instinctual safety that knows how to use his body to twitch to effect the passing game. He didn't test that well at the NFL combine, but what he lacks in athleticism, he makes up for with great route anticipation, positioning, and awareness. He does a good job of triggering downhill with great burst on crossing routes and stick routes when in the slot. Robinson is also an excellent run defender as well, which adds to his value as a box defender.
S Jartavius Martin, Illinois - 5'11", 194 Lbs.
Martin is an elite athlete that has the legitimate ability to play either cornerback and/or safety in the NFL. He'll be able to play multiple positions at the next level due to his range and movement ability. He has extremely fluid hips and a smooth backpedal that he can burst out of and make plays in both coverage and in the run game. He also has incredible instincts and knows when to correctly break on or jump routes. Somebody with the type of skillset and versatility that Martin has, would be a force as a Nickelback.
S J.L. Skinner, Boise State - 6'4", 209 Lbs.
Skinner is an incredibly long, smart, and physical safety prospect. He has enough field awareness and ball skills to attack the football in the air in order to make receivers work for catches. His physicality and attitude allows him to be an above average defender of tight ends and larger wide receivers. Skinner's also a natural asset against the run as well. It seems like he has a linebacker's mentality when stopping the run. He does a great job of taking on and defeating blocks, and well being an effective tackler.
CB Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU - 5'7.5", 178 Lbs.
Hodges-Tomlinson is an insane athlete, and it shows in almost every single snap. He is able to recover and break up passes on plays where other players normally wouldn't be able to. He could get beat on an outbreaking route and be 2-3 yards behind the receiver, and then seemingly teleport to the catch point using his insane closing burst and 39" vertical. He's broken up a lot of passes this way throughout his collegiate career. He only allowed a 34.6% completion rate when targeted in 2022, per PFF. "THT" is also an effective, technically sound tackler as well.
CB Jakorian Bennett, Maryland - 5'11", 188 Lbs.
Bennett is the definition of versatility as a defensive back. He's played free safety, strong safety, and cornerback during his time at Maryland. Bennett has unusually long arms for a 5'11" defensive back, and he knows how to use them to his advantage. He uses his length to consistently create problems for receivers in multiple areas. He also does a good job of knowing how to crowd and "annoy" receivers at the catch point. He constantly bats and chops at the football when the receiver gets their hands on the ball first, to knock it out of their hands.
CB Kei'Trel Clark, Louisville - 5'10", 181 Lbs.
Clark is an aggressive defender that plays bigger than his size. He has excellent speed and acceleration to close on targets quickly and with great hustle. He has a smooth backpedal and fluid hips, which makes it easier to stick with receivers on comeback routes and double-moves. Clark also has experience playing in the slot and at boundary corner in college. He's a player that's been rising up team's draft boards since the NFL Combine, and for good reason.
S Quindell Johnson, Memphis - 6'1", 206 Lbs.
Johnson is a great all-around athlete and versatile playmaker. He's one of the few collegiate defensive backs that have spent a substantial amount of time in the slot. He uses his size and anticipatory skills well, as both a deep safety and as a box defender. He's constantly able to put himself in the best position to make plays on the football, and processes route combinations quickly. Johnson is also aggressive and effective against the run as well. He very rarely bites on play-action fakes, and knows when to trigger downhill in a timely manner.
