Draft INSIGHT: S Kerby Joseph

What will the Browns safety room look like this year?

M.J. Stewart was allowed to sign away in free agency. Grant Delpit has some tackling issues but is a very good cover man. Ronnie Harrison remains an unrestricted free agent and can seek a deal with any club. John Johnson is still under contract and a seasoned veteran. Nate Meadors inked a reserves/futures contract in January after spending time on the practice squad last year. Richard LeCounte completed his rookie season as a special teams demon and was able to see the field towards the end of the season.

Experience at the safety position usually takes a bit more mentoring than with other positions. Joseph is a great cover man who doubles as an active ballhawk but he’s not really an in-the-box option.

Joseph had an incredible year in 2021 where he developed into one of the nation’s best safeties. The Browns have two third round picks to which Joseph should be available with pick #99. He is ranked at #100.

Specifics:

College: Illinois

Height: 6’-1”

Weight: 203 pounds

40-time: 4.5

Career Tackles: 116

Career Forced Fumbles: 1

Career Sacks: 1

Career Pass Defenses: 20

Career Interceptions: 1

Career Tackles for Loss: 2

Career starts: 12

Positives:

• Ballhawk bests describes him
• Able to close quickly
• Good ball instincts
• Elite run defender
• Great hitter with good strength and wraps up
• Reads and reacts with discipline
• Versatile as a blitzer
• Talented mirror-and-match technique vs. early release
• Natural athlete in coverage
• Physical player
• Wowed at the Senior Bowl
• First Team All-Big 10 2021
• 2021 was a breakout year

Negatives:

• Only one great season
• Just decent speed
• Good not great athlete
• Limited starts in a tough conference
• Response to cross-face routes are inconsistent
• Needs to get stronger
• Covering the deep zone a concern

Expert Draft Site Analysis

NFLDraftBuzz.com

A year ago Kerby Jospeh wasn’t even been talked about as a player who was going to be drafted - it’s a notably different position now where the debate is - just how high will he go? We think he’s done enough to be selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft and has the ability to start as a rookie. Joseph had an incredible 2021 season where he put numbers placing at the elite category of all DB’s in college football. There’s no doubting Joseph’s skills on the field — he can cover like a shutdown corner while playing the run in the box like a linebacker, he has however only had one elite season under his belt and his previous seasons were underwhelming due to him being given only two starts.