3 safeties not named Earl Thomas the Browns can sign

2. Eric Reid

Reid spent the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, starting all 29 games he played. Last year, he had a career-high 130 total tackles (97 solo) with four sacks and six pass breakup. Playing on one of the league’s worst defenses was a factor, but Reid came in with a dismal pass coverage grade from Pro Football Focus last year (36.1, 69th of 71 qualified safeties). According to Pro Football Reference, he also allowed 149.1 passer rating in his coverage.

Reid is not a fit for the rebuild in Carolina, so that he was cut in March was not surprising. The Houston Texans surface with reported interest fairly early, but other than that there’s been nothing attached to Reid in terms of rumors.

Right or wrong, Reid comes with some baggage. He openly supported Colin Kaepernick while with the 49ers, and that led to his tenure with that team ending before it probably should have. He even filed a collusion grievance against the 49ers.

Reid has shown great versatility in his career, as an in-the-box player, a single-high safety/centerfielder/free safety type and a slot cover guy if the matchup is right. At this stage he’s probably better closer to the line of scrimmage, with less space to cover, but the Browns have to have some interest.