By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE
**PREVIOUS**
The Coaching Staff
The Running Backs
The Offensive & Defensive Line
The Quarterbacks
The Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
The Linebackers
The Cleveland Browns defensive back group just got a bit interesting with the release of Joe Haden. The Browns have a few spots open at DB that will likely be filled with waiver wire pickups or maybe a trade.
Cornerbacks: We know for a fact the three starting corners for week one. Jamar Taylor, Jason McCourty, and Briean Boddy-Calhoun. Taylor and BBC were breakout players for the Browns last season.
Taylor was acquired from Miami last season on during the draft. The former second round pick played in 15 games last season. He finished the season with 46 tackles, 13 pass defended, and three interceptions. Taylor's play in 2016 earned him a three year contract extension and a starting job going forward. Its not like the talent wasn't there with Taylor during his tenure with Miami but seems like the change of scenery was need in order to get a fresh start.
Briean Boddy-Calhoun was an undrafted free agent pickup last season. BBC played in 14 games, starting half of them. Boddy-Calhoun recorded 36 tackles, 11 pass defended, and three picks (including one returned for a touchdown). During the preseason BBC has been everywhere. Playing not just at corner but spell some at safety.
The lone veteran at defensive back is Jason McCourty who will be entering his ninth season in the NFL. He has spent the last eight with the Tennessee Titans. The Browns brought him in because they absolutely needed someone with the veteran leadership McCourty brings. But its not just the leadership, McCourty spent a season with Gregg Williams so his familiarity with Williams gives the Browns almost another coach on the field. Despite his age McCourty's stats haven't really dropped. Last season he had 59 tackles, 12 pass defended, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery in the 14 games he played/started. During the preseason, McCourty has been showing max effort, he's played solid defense and even forced a fumble that set up a scoring drive for the offense.
Outside of those three, the Browns defense backs are kind of a mystery. Expect them to keep one of the undrafted rookies (Najee Murray, Darius Hillary, Alvin Hill) or four year veteran Marcus Burley. And then use the waiver wire to add an additional corner to the team.
Safety: The Browns safety room is extremely young. They potentially could be starting a rookie and a second year pro at the two safety positions.
Jabrill Peppers is a lock to start week one. Peppers has impressed coaches and fans alike with his hard hitting tackling and his exciting playmaking ability when he gets his hands on the ball.
Opposite of Peppers will likely be Derrick Kindred. Kindred's rookie season was cut short because of an injury but in the games he played Kindred showed decent cover skills and being a sure tackler. During the preseason Kindred played extremely well and earned his spot as a starter on defense.
The backup safety position is fluid just like the corner position. The Browns traded for former first round pick Calvin Pryor during the off-season. Think of it as a Jamar Taylor 2.0 move. Pryor has played well during the preseason, he even recorded a safety during the Browns preseason victory over the Bears. Ibraheim Campbell is entering his third season with the Browns. Campbell isn't a lock to make the team, but it is expected. The preseason wasn't that great for the third year pro as he battled a concussion that kept him out for a couple weeks. It seems unlikely but undrafted rookie Kai Nacua out of BYU has played well. If the Browns cut either Pryor or Campbell, Nacua would be a logical replacement. He was always around the ball during the preseason. It wouldn't be surprising if Nacua makes the practice squad and gets called up during the middle of the season.
Defensive Backs Overview: The DBs in 2017 have talent but the Browns are really thin. If everyone stays healthy the defensive backs shouldn't hurt them too bad. And with the improvement of a pass rush the defensive backs will be given a position to succeed in 2017.
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