The Opening Drive 3/3: Defensive Backs That Make Sense For The Browns Under Mike Rutenberg
Connected free agents to watch and those who fit in the NFL Draft.
When the Cleveland Browns handed the defensive reins to Mike Rutenberg, they weren’t just filling a vacancy. They signaled that they desired some defensive change on the back end.
Rutenberg prioritizes coverage as the base of his defense. While the front remains aggressive, the shift emphasizes new roles for the secondary, especially at safety and nickel.
In Rutenberg’s system, the safety is more than a deep middle defender. He is the structural centerpiece of the coverage. The ideal safety must transition seamlessly between single-high and split-safety looks without losing leverage or spacing. He needs the range to patrol deep, the awareness to match tight ends vertically, and the physicality to step into the box against the run. Just as important, he must communicate, adjusting alignments before the snap and reacting decisively after.
Rutenberg’s recent experience with players like Jessie Bates III underscores his commitment to production from the position. Preventing explosive plays is only part of the equation. Creating them is the goal. A Rutenberg safety anticipates route combinations, reads quarterback intentions, and positions himself to generate takeaways. Intelligence and instinct are as critical as speed and tackling. In Cleveland, that player becomes the defense’s traffic controller and opportunist.
If safety is the system’s brain, the nickel corner is its stress point. The modern NFL revolves around three-receiver sets, and the slot has become a laboratory for offensive mismatches. That elevates the nickel from a situational defender to a central figure.
Rutenberg’s nickel corner must mirror quick slot receivers in space while processing complex route distributions from stacks, bunches, and motion. He must handle option routes without hesitation and close quickly in short areas. He cannot be a liability in the run game. The position demands toughness, a willingness to take on blocks, and the ability to function almost like a hybrid linebacker when needed. Blitzing ability and versatility add value.
What ties both positions together is mental processing speed and adaptability. Rutenberg is not looking for rigid specialists. He wants interchangeable pieces who can disguise coverages, rotate post-snap, and maintain discipline within aggressive fronts. Safeties who can cover like corners. Nickel corners who can tackle like safeties. Cleveland’s defensive line may continue to set the tone, but Rutenberg’s imprint will be visible in the design behind it. If the Browns identify the right players at safety and nickel, they won’t just support the pass rush. They will elevate the entire defense, adding flexibility and intelligence with their pressure-driven front seven, its defining trait.
The Browns have one safety, the highly versatile Grant Delpit, who fits perfectly into what Rutenburg deploys, and their cornerbacks, Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell, make a formidable duo. What will be interesting to see is if the Browns determine that Ronnie Hickman can do the job in this version of the defense. He was fine in his role under Schwartz, but they will be asking more of that safety position, as well as the nickel position, where Myles Harden had his moments but was not great by any stretch. Rutenburg puts a lot on his nickel corners and may be looking to upgrade over Harden, add a safety, or replace Hickman altogether, depending on his evaluations. Here is a look at some players with a direct connection to Rutenburg or who could be of interest.
Free Agent Safeties Who Have Played For Rutenberg
Jimmie Ward, Safety - Tampa Bay: Ward’s versatility allows him to play deep safety, nickel, or in the box. His experience in multiple systems enables a quick transition and adds veteran leadership.
Chuck Clark, Safety - Steelers: Clark excels with communication and reliability, especially in pre-snap coverage adjustments. While lacking elite range, he remains dependable in structured defenses.
Tony Adams, Safety - Jets: Adams has range and promising coverage skills. His athleticism and versatility fit a team looking for a younger safety with upside.
Richie Grant, Safety — Broncos Practice Squad: Grant’s athleticism and ball skills show some untapped potential. A scheme that better highlights his movement skills could potentially help him to settle into a defined role.
Notes: While none of these options represents a clear upgrade at the position, all have valuable experience under Rutenburg. Their familiarity with his system makes them worth monitoring, though Ward and Clark are older than the type of players the Browns will be looking to add this offseason.
Trade Candidates on Atlanta Falcons
Mike Hughes, Cornerback - Hughes offers positional flexibility with experience playing both outside and in the slot, along with return value earlier in his career. He projects as a useful depth piece who can handle multiple responsibilities if needed.
Clark Phillips III, Cornerback - Phillips was a fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft out of Utah and has made seven starts over three seasons, playing very well at times in relief duty at outside cornerback, but didn’t play at all in 2025 and is likely a cut candidate.
Notes: While Phillips could be an interesting depth option if released, the guy to keep an eye on here is Alford, who has manned the nickel role under Rutenberg in Atlanta and is one of the better nickel options on the open market. If Rutenburg loved him in Atlanta, he could probably pound the table for him in Cleveland and get an immediate upgrade over Harden.
Dee Alford, Nickel Cornerback - Alford developed into Atlanta’s primary slot defender while playing within the defensive structure Mike Rutenberg helped coordinate, showing steady growth in coverage awareness and playmaking production. He has demonstrated the ability to mirror receivers inside, blitz from the nickel spot, and compete at the catch point despite not having prototypical size.
Entering free agency, Alford profiles as one of the more intriguing mid-tier nickel options, a player with starting experience and schematic familiarity who likely won’t command top-of-market money but should generate solid interest from teams looking for an experienced inside corner with system versatility.
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Draft Prospects — Nickel Defensive Backs
D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana - Ponds projects well in the slot with quick feet and competitive instincts, challenging receivers despite smaller size.
PFF Big Board: 52
Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd Round
Chandler Rivers, Duke - Rivers brings toughness and physicality to the nickel position, showing no hesitation in attacking ball carriers or working through blocks. His aggressive mentality and instincts could earn him early playing time in sub-packages.
PFF Big Board: 73
Draft Projection: 3rd-4th Round
Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina -Jalon Kilgore is a competitive, instinctive defensive back who brings versatility to the secondary with experience at both corner and safety. He plays with good route recognition and isn’t afraid to trigger downhill in run support, showing the physical mindset teams look for in hybrid defensive backs. While he may not have elite length, his awareness, ball skills, and ability to function in multiple coverages give him legitimate value as a depth defensive back with sub-package upside.
PFF Big Board: 154
Draft Projection: 4th-5th Rnd
Damari Brown, Miami - Brown offers appealing size and athletic potential with flashes of strong coverage ability downfield. He may require development, but his physical tools provide a foundation for growth in a pro system.
PFF Big Board: NA
Draft Projection: UDFA
Notes: When looking at a nickel option in the range that the Browns could take one. Kilgore jumps off the page for me. He has good size, has played in the slot throughout his college career, and is highly underrated. Well, that was how I felt until he posted the best RAS score of all the safeties at the combine. While listed as a strong safety, he strikes me as an ideal fit for what Rutenberg wants to accomplish with his nickel. Either way, his stock may be rising after his 9.97 RAS score. He ran a 4.40 40-yard dash at 210 pounds! He is a freak and would open up all sorts of fun options on this defense.
Draft Prospects — Safeties
Caleb Downs, Ohio State - Downs displays exceptional instincts and anticipation, consistently arriving around the football in both coverage and run support. His versatility allows him to impact multiple alignments, making him a centerpiece type of defender.
PFF Big Board: 3
Draft Projection: Top 10 Overall Pick
Kamari Ramsey, USC - Ramsey displays physicality near the line and enough range to play deep. His ability to switch between nickel and safety boosts his value.
PFF Big Board: 64
Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd Round
Dillon Thieneman, Oregon - Thieneman excels in processing, reading quarterbacks, and using his range and ball skills to close space quickly.
PFF Big Board: 15
Draft Projection: Late 1st Round - Early 2nd Round
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo - McNeil-Warren’s length and athleticism could translate well to coverage. With refinement, he offers deep-defender potential and playmaking upside.
PFF Big Board: 27
Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd Round
Michael Taaffe, Texas - Taaffe uses strong awareness and discipline to position himself well before plays. His intelligence and effort offset average physical traits.
PFF Big Board: 139
Draft Projection: 3rd-4th Round
A.J. Haulcy, LSU - Haulcy has shown ball production and aggressiveness, with instincts suited for diverse sub-package roles early in his career.
PFF Big Board: 47
Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd Round
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Thanks for all the good info! I think secondary is going to be a good position group to keep an eye on. Probably 3rd most priority behind o-line and WR. A lot of decisions with Emerson and Hickman. From what it seems there will be more emphasis on nickel DB as well.