Safety Grant Delpit is breaking out for the Cleveland Browns
It is only two games into the season and it looks like the Cleveland Browns have a breakout candidate on their defense. Safety Grant Delpit is playing at an unreal level to start the season, along with the rest of the defense. As a result, even Pro Football Focus has him as the No. 2 […]
It is only two games into the season and it looks like the Cleveland Browns have a breakout candidate on their defense.
Safety Grant Delpit is playing at an unreal level to start the season, along with the rest of the defense. As a result, even Pro Football Focus has him as the No. 2 safety in football right now.
On the season, Delpit has one interception that came in Week 2 against the Steelers when he jumped a route and would have housed it if it wasn’t for losing his footing. So far, Delpit is playing about 50 percent of his snaps in the box, with the other 50 being split between free safety and the slot.
The third-year player has 13 tackles and just one missed tackle, this is a solid ratio by the way. Delpit has seven-run snaps and has allowed just six catches for a whopping 14 yards in coverage.
If you’ve followed Delpit closely during his first couple of seasons, this trajectory toward him breaking out is not a major surprise. The LSU product’s career got off to a bad start with an Achilles injury during his rookie season in 2020, so he had to wait until 2021 to make his debut. The 2021 season was fine for him, but he found his footing in 2022.
Delpit recorded four interceptions in his second season, scored two touchdowns, and made 76 tackles. As a player, there is nothing that Delpit can not be asked of at safety. He can blitz the passer when asked to, he’s good in coverage, as well as a good tackler.
Good ball instincts are a must at safety and Delpit has those. He’s a high-IQ player who makes smart plays.
On the defense so far this season, there hasn’t been a better player than Delpit. In terms of the whole team, Delpit may be the best player through two weeks. That is saying a lot because the Browns have a very talented roster.
Still just 24 years old, Delpit is just now breaking into who he can be as an NFL player. His ceiling is being an All-Pro, while I would put his floor at being a Pro Bowler. I firmly believe that Delpit will make a Pro Bowl in his career and he’s on track early to make that happen this season.
If Delpit can continue this level of player over a 17-game season and stay healthy, you’re talking about a nice payday coming up for him perhaps next offseason.
Cleveland may have found a gem in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft and Jim Schwartz is surely glad to have him flying around.
Browns Week 2 loss drops them in the power rankings
Cleveland dropped in the power rankings due to the loss to the Steelers.
Featured image via Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports.
