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NFL Combine tracker: 3 safeties the Browns must watch (who aren't Caleb Downs)

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NFL Combine tracker: 3 safeties the Browns must watch (who aren't Caleb Downs) originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

While the hype surrounding Caleb Downs is reaching a fever pitch in Indianapolis, can the Browns front office really afford to draft him with their sixth overall pick? With so many needs at offensive line and wide receiver, grabbing Downs is a “nice to have” that Cleveland can’t justify.

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One area lacking on the club’s stellar defense has been a true ballhawk at safety. Grant Delpit is more of a thumper who’s at his best creeping closer to the line of scrimmage. This week’s NFL Scouting Combine is the perfect stage to hunt for that center fielder who can create turnovers. 

Here are three ballhawking prospects who might not have the "Downs" name brand yet, but possess the upside traits that GM Andrew Berry can target after Day 1 in April’s draft.

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1. Dillon Thieneman (Oregon) - 6’0”, 205-lbs

Projected Round: Early 2nd

  • Pros: A hyper-productive "stat-sheet stuffer" with elite range. He finished his college career with eight interceptions and over 300 tackles, showing a rare ability to play the "centerfield" role while also flying downhill to erase screens.
  • Con: He lacks "thumper" physicality; he’s a wrap-up tackler who can struggle to halt the momentum of larger power backs in the hole.

2. Bud Clark (TCU) - 6’1”, 185-lbs

Projected Round: 3rd – 4th

  • Pros: A pure takeaway artist with 15 career interceptions. Clark is a long, rangy playmaker who dominated Senior Bowl practices by high-pointing the ball and showing elite recovery speed in man coverage.
  • Con: His frame is notably thin, which raises concerns about his durability and "stopping power" when tasked with defending the run in a physical division.

3. Bishop Fitzgerald (USC) - 5’10”, 205-lbs 

Projected Round: 4th – 5th

  • Pros: An All-American with a quarterback’s brain that is always hunting for the ball. His "checkmate" instincts allowed him to rack up 10-interceptions and 14-passes defended over the last three seasons, utilizing upper echelon pattern recognition to jump routes before the receiver breaks.
  • Con: Measured at 5'10", he lacks the prototypical height and length of an NFL free safety, which can lead to him getting out-muscled by "box-out" tight ends.

Adding one of these turnover creators, along with Delpit and re-signing Ronnie Hickman, would give the Browns versatility and depth at safety that they haven’t seen in a long time.

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