Is Grant Delpit Finally Turning The Corner For The Browns?

Is Delpit’s emergence this season for real, or should fans temper future expectations?

Making Plays

Looking back at Delpit’s strengths and weaknesses coming out of the 2020 draft, they line up with the start of his pro career.

He’s struggled in coverage, sometimes to a concerning degree, but has remained physical with his play.

The fact he’s picked off the opposing quarterback in consecutive games for the first time as a pro shows the strides he’s made with his coverage ability this season.

Granted, the pick against New Orleans came off a tip, but being in the right place at the right time is worth something.

Plus, Delpit only continues to get better against the run as he’s recently displayed.

The jump in Delpit’s ability to just make plays happen this year has been astounding.

Last year, Delpit finished with 66 total tackles, 3 pass deflections, and 1 interception.

This year, he’s already up to 103 total tackles with 10 pass deflections and 4 interceptions.

Safeties need to make things happen defensively in today’s NFL.

Delpit’s been doing that all season long.

Best Ability is Availability

“Your best ability is availability”, as the great Bill Parcells once said.

Here in 2022, Delpit has embodied that mentality.

Grant missed his entire rookie season after an Achilles injury in August of 2020.

Fast forward a year later as Delpit continued to battle bumps and bruises but did appear in 15 games with 7 starts in 2021.

This season, Delpit has started all but one game for the Browns defense.

He’s also been involved in 100% of the defensive snaps each game outside of Week 10 in Miami.

For a guy who may want a contract extension done this offseason, staying on the field has been a huge plus.

An active, healthy Delpit has proven to be of great value to Cleveland’s defense.

Braun AND Brains

It’s no surprise to see Delpit playing smarter ball with how much more he’s been on the field this year.

Back in Week 15, he made an awesome play by shooting past a block from the Ravens’ Justice Hill to bring down the ball carrier in the backfield.

It’s a really heads up play that isn’t exactly coachable; it’s just instinct.

As Delpit continues to see more snaps in a starting role, those plays will come more and more often.

What’s Next?

Delpit will enter a contract year in 2023-2024 and could be looking at an extension this offseason.

He’s due just over $1.5 million next season but continues to see his value rise on a weekly basis.

As a homegrown talent on a defense that needs all the playmakers it can get, I expect Andrew Berry and the front office to work something out with Delpit this winter/spring.