The Cleveland Browns and GM Andrew Berry are working hard to upgrade this roster. The need for help at multiple positions is apparent. One of those positions is at safety.
John Johnson didn’t get the job done last season and failed to properly lead the defensive unit. And the other safeties such as Grant Delpit and Ronnie Harrison were often injured and played inconsistent football.
There’s one former Clevland Browns football player who could help fix the position group. A former first-round pick in 2017, Jabril Peppers should be brought back on a team-friendly contract in 2023.
Peppers has had a very solid career since leaving Cleveland, registering four very good seasons with the Giants and Patriots.
Last year, in a role that suited him very well where he often played close to the line of scrimmage, Peppers had 60 tackles and a fumble recovery for New England.
His PFF rating was a very solid 75.0. But more than his recent stats, it’s his attacking and aggressive style of play that would suit the Browns well in 2023. His aggression should match that of incoming defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s style of defense very well.
As long as he wouldn’t be asked to play out of position, which he was when playing in Gregg Williams’s Browns defense back in 2018, Peppers would bring a toughness and attitude to this defense that is much needed.
He wouldn’t even need to start. He could come in playing a specific role in certain situations and should excel in what he’s asked to do.
The match seems perfect, and he shouldn’t command a massive contract in free agency.
This would be a very interesting signing and I’d be all for it.
