The Cleveland Browns selected S Grant Delpit with the No. 44 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Originally from New Orleans, Delpit and his family moved to Houston due to Hurricane Katrina. Delpit attended two schools in Houston before transferring to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Delpit racked up 47 tackles and had five interceptions for the Ascenders during his senior year.

Delpit (6-foot-3, 213 pounds) is a two-time Consensus All-American, and a two-time All-SEC selection. He was the winner of the 2019 Jim Thorpe award for the best defensive back in the nation. Delpit won the Touchdown Club of Columbus Jack Tatum Award in 2018. Delpit is solid in coverage and can play either safety spot. He is an excellent pass rusher with great ball skills and awareness.

A nagging ankle injury kept Delpit out of the NFL Scouting Combine in February, but he sent out a pro day video showing him running a 4.39 time in the 40-yard dash. That would have been the second-fastest time amongst safeties behind L'Jarius Sneed (4.37) from Louisiana State. Tyrann Mathieu, Eric Reid and Jamal Adams are former LSU safeties that have enjoyed NFL success. If Delpit can polish his tackling—it’s not as bad as some say—he will follow in their footsteps.

Here’s why SI’s Kevin Hanson ranked Delpit as the No. 25 overall player on his big board:

The biggest concern with Delpit is his inconsistency as a tackler, although he dealt with a high-ankle sprain for part of the year. When healthy, Delpit is a long and rangy playmaker on the back end that had eight interceptions and 24 passes defended over his three seasons in Baton Rouge.

2019 stats (Junior; LSU): 38 solo tackles, 65 total tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INT (14 games)

2018 stats (Sophomore; LSU): 46 solo tackles, 74 total tackles, 5 sacks, 5 INT (13 games)

2017 stats (Freshman; LSU): 36 solo tackles, 60 total tackles, 1 INT (13 games)

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