Browns could add another key defensive contributor

The Cleveland Browns are trying to fix their secondary and Shaquill Griffin could be the next name to join them.

It was evident that the Cleveland Browns needed to upgrade their secondary following their AFC Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sure, Cleveland picked up their first playoff victory since 1994, but they also allow Ben Roethlisberger to throw for over 500 yards.

Monday was the start of that rebuild with the addition of safety John Johnson III from the Los Angeles Rams. It might not be the last if a former NFC West cornerback joins the party.

According to reports from NFL insider Josina Anderson, Cleveland is interested in adding former Seattle Seahawks defender Shaquill Griffin. The Seahawks elected not to franchise tag him earlier this month, hoping to come to terms on an extension. Instead, multiple reports of stated that the two are not in the “same ballpark” when it comes to price.

Would Cleveland willing to match that price?

Should Cleveland make the move for Griffin?

Griffin, a third-round pick in 2017, posted a career-high three interceptions in 2020 while breaking up 12 passes and posting 63 tackles. The year prior, he earned a Pro Bowl nod with 65 total tackles and 13 pass break ups in 14 games.

https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1371471765692686336/video/1

Overall, Griffin isn’t terrible in coverage but also could use some work. He allowed receivers to record 62.1 percent of passes and allowed six touchdowns in coverage. The Seahawks secondary ranked 31st in past defense for 2020, allowing teams to average 285 yards per game through the air.

Denzel Ward is expected to return after the final year on his rookie contract expires. The hope was that former LSU star Greedy Williams could play opposites and thrive alongside the former Buckeye. He missed all of last season with a nerve injury.

In the NFL today, teams that can command coverage will always limit offenses from attacking through the air. Should Griffin join the squad, Joe Woods would have a very good problem on his hands he looking at alignments.

Williams could move inside to the slot, while the back end would be taken care of in a three-man set of Johnson, second-year star Grant Delpit and tackling-machine Ronnie Harrison.

Everything of course will come down to price. For the right one, Andrew Berry should complete his secondary by adding a name like Griffin.