It’s time to officially continue the IDP Breakout Candidate series. The Cleveland Browns took a massive step forward in 2020, but second-round pick Grant Delpit suffered an Achilles rupture in training camp before the season started. He now looks to become an IDP Breakout Candidate in 2021!
During his tenure at LSU, Grant Delpit became one of the most prolific safeties in the school’s history. In 2019 — his last year there — he won the Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. Delpit was also a two-time, first-team All-American in 2018 and 2019. Needless to say, Delpit is a very talented safety.
The Cleveland Browns drafted him in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, 44th overall. Delpit’s landing spot was one of the favorites from last season and IDP analysts were very excited to see what he could do for fantasy managers. Before the season started, though, Delpit ruptured his Achilles tendon and was put on the injured reserve for the entire 2020 season.
Any Achilles injury is hard to come back from. Will Grant Delpit be able to return to form? That’s what many IDP managers who drafted him are asking themselves this offseason. In my opinion, that answer is a resounding yes. Last season, he was expected to compete for a spot at the starting free safety position. Delpit should still have a strong chance to gain that starting job.
The Browns expect him to be back to full strength by the time training camp starts for 2021. Delpit has some competition for snaps, though — Ronnie Harrison was brought in after Delpit’s injury last year, John Johnson III signed with the team in free agency, and the Browns drafted highly-touted prospect Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the 2021 NFL draft.
Situation:
The Browns’ defense added a lot of talented players this offseason. Although they started to play better towards the end of 2020, the defense should be even more improved from the previous season. The Browns brought in EDGE rusher Jadeveon Clowney to help create pressure on the quarterback, along with Myles Garrett.
The Browns also added one of the best safeties in the league, John Johnson. With the addition of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, the Browns are loaded on the defensive side of the ball. “JOK” will probably play a hybrid role between the safety and linebacker positions, so it’s not likely he will supplant Delpit at the free safety position. John Johnson will likely be the teams’ strong safety, so Delpit will have to beat out incumbent Ronnie Harrison for the job.
Delpit has been working hard to get back on the field, rehabbing and working out to make sure he is healthy for the 2021 season. He knows what it will take to prove his worth on the Browns team. Coming back from that type of injury isn’t easy, but Delpit has the right mindset for the position he is in.
His injury certainly gave him an opportunity to see what the speed of the NFL was like. He got to “sit back” and learn from the veterans around him, take everything in, play by play, and learn the playbook from the sidelines. Cleveland has a legitimate shot to make it to the Super Bowl in 2021, and Delpit is eager to be a part of that.
Grant Delpit seems to be moving around much better. #Browns pic.twitter.com/B0Clnfu4j3
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) June 4, 2021
Summary:
The safety situation in Cleveland is a tad crowded, but Delpit is projected to be a starter for them at the moment. His talent should help him beat out the other players on the Browns roster. Delpit is a playmaker and should have some chances to make some impact plays for fantasy managers who have him on their squad. He’s eager to prove to the team, coaches, and fans why he should be on the field.
Usually, free safeties don’t put up a ton of IDP points, but I believe Delpit may be one of the few guys at that position who should be able to be fantasy-relevant on a weekly basis. He should hold DB2 value for fantasy managers, with a chance to give you week-winning plays in the interception department.
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