Going into the season there were a lot of questions surrounding the defensive side of the ball for the Cleveland Browns. Strong safety Grant Delpit has helped answer some of those four games into the season.
The defense has flashy names and stars in different areas of the field. Delpit has emerged as an underrated playmaker all over the field for the Browns.
Safety Grant Delpit Flashing Skillset Early On For Browns Defense
Backing the Defense
Defensive ends Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith have led the charge through four games, helping the Browns defense to a variety of high rankings in different statistical categories.
The middle of the field features young linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah along with some more experienced players.
Also on the defense, star cornerback Denzel Ward joined by second-year cornerback Greg Newsome II.
The team has had a history in the past few years of giving up big plays down the middle and not being able to tackle when given the chance to prevent extra yardage.
Grant Delpit sets up the @Browns nicely with an INT!
📺: #CLEvsPIT on ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/zWM8hlwLFw pic.twitter.com/zcVh7X1rLl— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2023
This has changed for the most part this season, and Delpit is a big reason why.
Safety Grant Delpit By The Numbers
Safety Grant Delpit has helped fix some previous problems for the team and is tied with Owusu-Koramoah for the team lead in total tackles with 21.
They are also both tied with 16 solo and five assisted tackles. Delpit has added a tackle for loss, two passes defended, a fumble recovery, and the team’s lone interception.
A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft from LSU, Delpit is in his third season all of which have been in a Browns uniform.
I really like watching Grant Delpit play in the box. He makes a hell of a play here on 3rd & short. I can't stop wondering if another defensive coordinator could get much more out of this kid. #Browns pic.twitter.com/Mk0XlWdza3
— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) December 24, 2022
He posted 105 and 66 total tackles in his two previous seasons. He had four interceptions after playing in all 17 games last season.
Ward and Newsome have been solid in coverage thus far, with the Ravens being the only big problem exploiting the defense on the ground and up the middle.
Safety Grant Delpit has helped cover where the team has been prone to giving up yards and seems to always be around the ball.
This is nothing new for Delpit, who in his three seasons with LSU was amongst the team lead in tackles every season, and had eight interceptions, 17.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks during his time in Baton Rouge.
Looking Ahead
The Browns defense will have a bye week and a lot of time to look at their worst performance of the season. They had given up one offensive touchdown through three games, but gave up two through the air and two on the ground to Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens offense.
The schedule does not get any easier as George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Christian McCaffery will give them a handful after the bye.
Followed by the creative Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson and the Seattle Seahawks high-powered offense in the following two weeks.
The defense has received its flowers and for good reason, but with questions on the offense and giving up four touchdowns last game, it is evident they get back to their old ways quickly.
This starts up front with one of the best defensive players in the league in Garrett and ends with the playmaking of safety Grant Delpit.
Main Image: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
