In part 2 of our Cleveland Browns training camp preview at safety, we dissect Don Jones, Sean Baker, and Tim Scott. This is our final positional preview of training camp.
5. DON JONES - SPECIAL TEAMS SAFETY
Don Jones (#35)Height: 5-11 | Weight: 195
Age: 26 | Experience: 4 years
College: Arkansas
Note: Has played for Miami, New England, and New Orleans ... Exclusively a special teams player, so don't know what he can do at safety.
Don Jones began his career with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2013. In 2014, he split time between the Dolphins and the New England Patriots. Last year, he started the season with the New Orleans Saints, but after they waived him in mid-October, the Browns added him to their roster.
Jones' regular season efforts during the first three years of his career have been almost exclusively on special teams. In 9 games with the Browns last year, he registered 5 special teams tackles. In 2013, he had 11 special teams tackles. He followed that up with 11 more in 2014. He's a consistent producer in that area and could be more so in competition with a Marlon Moore for a spot exclusively on special teams.
Final Roster Odds: 20%
6. SEAN BAKER - BACKUP SAFETY
Sean Baker (#40)Height: 5-11 | Weight: 205
Age: 27 | Experience: 2 years
College: Ball State
Note: Has been in the NFL since 2002 ... From the state of Ohio ... Was added to the Browns' practice squad prior to Week 17 last year.
Born in Youngstown, OH, Sean Baker's NFL career began in 2012 as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The fact that this is 2016 now and he only has two years of accrued experience tells you how many practice squads he's been on.
Baker's big claim to fame as a rookie was that he notched 2 interceptions and had a fumble recovery in the team's final preseason game. It wasn't enough to make their roster, but he did spend a little bit of time on their practice squad. Between 2013-2015, he was on-and-off the Atlanta Falcons' roster, but did play in 5 regular season games in 2014. He was on the Colts' practice squad for two days last year before joining Cleveland at the end of the year. Back in 2012, scouting reports said he played with aggression and good instincts to try to overcome his lack of athleticism.
Final Roster Odds: <5%
7. TIM SCOTT - BACKUP SAFETY
Tim Scott (#37)Height: 5-11 | Weight: 195
Age: 23 | Experience: 1 year
College: North Carolina
Note: Played safety and covered the slot in college ... Spent last year mostly with the Cowboys ... Good run defender.
The Browns signed Tim Scott to their practice squad last December. He began his NFL career as a member of the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 as an undrafted fee agent. He didn't make the club out of training camp, but did spend a couple of months on their practice squad.
Scott should play safety with the third-team defense for the most part, but he also has some flexibility to move over to slot cornerback. Scott had 3 special teams tackles during the preseason last year for Dallas, and also had 6 tackles in the team's preseason finale. College scouting reports cited his run defense and position versatility as strengths.
Final Roster Odds: <5%
Today's poll asks which of these three players you like the most.