One Browns Safety Makes PFF's Top 32 List
The Cleveland Browns have overhauled their safety position this offseason, signing Juan Thornhill and Rodney McLeod. Pro Football Focus released a list of the top 32 safeties heading into 2023 written by Dalton Wasserman. One of the Browns additions made the list of the 32 safeties and the other disagreed with the fact he isn't.
Rodney McLeod came in ranked 23rd on the list, which is good for the Browns since he's at least nominally their third safety with experience at free, strong as well as the slot. As the article points out, McLeod has been remarkably consistent even as he will be celebrating his 33rd birthday later this month. He's been a starter in the league the last ten years.
The fact he's transitioning into a slightly smaller role is great for the Browns, who have both Grant Delpit and Thornhill to fill out the position group. His experience in Jim Schwartz's system is valuable and one of the reason he's here.
Meanwhile, Thornhill noticed the fact he didn't make the list and weighed in with his thoughts.
Whether or not Pro Football Focus believes he's one of the top 32 safeties, he just won his second Super Bowl ring as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs and now comes to a defense that could further elevate his game. Thornhill is nominally the free in this defense, but between what he has supporting him at safety in addition to the corners on the Browns defense, the secondary looks loaded.
Additionally, the significant investments that have been made by the Browns on their defensive line could make the entire group's game better. If they are more effective in the middle, the safeties won't be as critical for the team's run defense, able to focus on the pass more. Should the pass rush excel, that will make it so the defensive backs won't need to cover as long and could be in position to make more plays on the ball.
