Browns target Talanoa Hufanga. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
After landing John Johnson II in free agency, the Cleveland Browns may not be done with the safety position as the 2021 NFL Draft approaches. With Ronnie Harrison and perhaps Grant Delpit (if he returns healthy) returning to the room, the secondary looks significantly improved from the blunders a year ago.
However, they may not be done yet at the position, as defensive coordinator Joe Woods wants to run predominantly nickel and dime packages in the 2020 season now that he has the ideal personnel. This means the Browns may look at the safety position this upcoming April, and may even do it as soon as the second round.
Who could their target be? USC’s chess piece Talanoa Hufanga. With his ability to play all over the field, the Browns could benefit from the versatility of the highly tantalizing Trojans’ defensive back. Let’s dig a bit deeper here.
Looking at the box score of Hufanga
The ball production of Hufanga was off the charts this past season for the Trojans, as he racked up a whopping four interceptions on the year. He also racked up three sacks, two forced fumbles, five tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and forty solo tackles in his junior year. This came off of a 10 game season in 2019 where he racked up three and a half sacks, seven and a half tackles for loss, three passes defended, and two forced fumbles as well.
In just six games in 2020, Hufanga proved he could be a jack-of-all-trades for the lucky team that drafts him in the 2021 NFL Draft. That team should be the Browns. Here is why.