Following the Browns’ blockbuster trade that sent Jabrill Peppers to the Giants in exchange for Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland has had a need at safety. Cleveland then waived Derrick Kindred. Not long after that, though, the Browns swung a deal for Eric Murray in exchange for Emmanuel Ogbah. Now, Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot reports that the Cleveland Browns are expected to sign Morgan Burnett, formerly of the Packers and division rival Steelers.
#Browns intend to sign former #Packers and #Steelers strong safety Morgan Burnett today, league source says
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 5, 2019
Browns to Sign Morgan Burnett; Safety has Dorsey Ties
Cleveland’s decision to sign Burnett makes a lot of sense. First and foremost, the veteran safety was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2010, a time when current Browns’ GM John Dorsey served as a scout in Green Bay. Additionally, Browns’ secondary coach and pass game coordinator Joe Whitt coached Burnett directly in Green Bay during that same time.
Now, the 30-year-old defensive back reunites with John Dorsey and Joe Whitt in Cleveland. Teams signing players who have previous experience with a past coach, general manager, or even player already on that roster is no surprise. Burnett is the most recent example. Why teams make these kinds of moves, is because of the player in question’s familiarity with the schemes and team culture. Beyond that, veterans like Burnett can also be a coach on the field for young players in their position group.
What Burnett Signing Means for Browns
Morgan Burnett may not be the most flashy name of available free agent safeties. He is not Eric Berry or Tre Boston. But, he is the best fit for the Cleveland Browns. Some would argue that Berry would have been given his ties to Dorsey through the Chiefs, but Berry was never coached by Joe Whitt. Furthermore, it makes more sense for Dorsey to bring in somebody he personally scouted, rather than a great player he inherited as a GM elsewhere.
The addition of Burnett likely means the Browns will not prioritize taking a safety off the board in the NFL Draft. Cleveland surely could add a rookie for depth at the position, but don’t look for it to be early in the draft as some originally thought. Subsequent to that, the Browns can now focus on improving the team in other areas, such as linebacker and adding depth along the offensive line, now that they’ve added a new starter alongside Damarious Randall in the secondary.
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