Cleveland Browns: 3 Standouts in OTAs to follow this summer

By Cory Kinnan | Jun 1, 2019

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 11: A Cleveland Browns helmet rests on the field prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 11, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Browns 29-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

S Jermaine Whitehead

Times are changing in the NFL as we are seeing less linebackers on the field and more defensive backs. The Browns played in the big nickel formation, three safeties and two linebackers on the field, quite a bit in 2018, but one key player is missing. Peppers had a breakout year last season, ranking in the top-10 of all safeties in the NFL a year ago according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

The Browns signed veteran Morgan Burnett to a two-year deal this offseason, traded Emmanuel Ogbah for Eric Murray, and drafted Sheldrick Redwine this offseason to address the safety position. Yet, the one safety standing out is one who was already on the roster from 2018.

Jermaine Whitehead is looking like a waiver wire gem after he was cut by the Green Bay Packers and claimed by the Browns last year. Now through most of OTAs, defensive coordinator Steve Wilks is calling Whitehead a leader on the defensive side of the ball.

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Whitehead’s size and skill set are perfect for the modernized linebacker/safety hybrid position, and if he keeps it up, he will win the job left open by the trade of Peppers. He has started two games thus far in his three-year career, but in 2019, he could see a much larger role than he has ever seen as a pro.

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