2020 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns Pick S Grant Delpit at No. 44

With the 44th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected S Grant Delpit (6-3, 203 lbs, LSU). Delpit was the team’s second round pick. Cleveland originally had the 41st pick, but traded back three spots with the Indianapolis Colts to pick up a 5th round pick (No. 160) along the way.

Scouting Reports

When the Dawgs By Nature community compiled our 2020 Browns Big Board, Delpit was listed as the No. 13 overall player, and he was the top remaining player on Cleveland’s board when they picked. Here is a scouting report from CBS Sports’ Dane Brugler, who projected him to be a 2nd-round pick and the fourth best safety on his board.

A three-year starter at LSU, Delpit was a starting safety in defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s scheme, lining up free and strong and as a nickel. He quickly established himself as a face-of-the-program type of leader in Baton Rouge and drew comparisons to Troy Polamalu from his head coach, earning the coveted No. 7 LSU jersey. With his football IQ and athleticism, Delpit is quick to trigger vs. the pass and the run, trusting his keys and never second guessing himself.

He often arrives too hot as a tackler and his overaggressive angles and poor finishing skills dent his batting average (there is no question that he was banged up in 2019 and how much that affected his production and performance is open to interpretation). Overall, Delpit needs to shore up his tackling inconsistency, but he is a rangy, smart and energetic player who quickly finds the football and attacks, projecting as an interchangeable NFL safety with starting potential.

Here is what Pro Football Focus said about Delpit:

How He Fits the Browns

For weeks, Browns fans have been projecting the Browns to go offensive tackle in the first round, and safety in the second round. Deplit was one of the top safeties, and has great size. Cleveland’s depth at safety was depleted when the team let Damarious Randall and Morgan Burnett go this offseason, and Delpit should start right away.

React Now

What do you think, Browns fans?