The Browns are less than a week away from the beginning of training camp. To prepare for training camp, associate editor Kelsey Russo and staff writer intern Noah Monroe are putting together a preview for each position on the roster. Catch up on other position previews on the quarterbacks, defensive line, offensive line, linebackers, wide receivers, cornerbacks and tight ends. Next up, let's look at the safeties.
The Safeties:
Grant Delpit
Christopher Edmonds
Ronnie Hickman
Rayshawn Jenkins
Damontae Kazee
Donovan McMillon
Nik Needham
What we know: Two players who started a game at safety last season return in 2025 for the Browns in Grant Delpit – the team leader in tackles in 2024 – and Ronnie Hickman – who had 45 tackles and a fumble recovery in 14 games, five of which he started. Christopher Edmonds, who appeared in two games last season, is on the roster for a second consecutive season after being an undrafted free agent signing in 2024 and spending a majority of the season on the practice squad.
Following multiple departures from last year's core of safeties, the Browns signed Rayshawn Jenkins, Damontae Kazee and Nik Needham, three experienced safeties to the unit. Prior to free agency, the most tenured player among the safeties was the 26-year-old Delpit. The Browns also signed Donovan McMillon as an undrafted free agent following him racking up back-to-back 100 tackle seasons while at Pitt. In his senior season in addition to his 115 tackles, he also had an interception, a forced fumble and eight passes defended.
The biggest question: How will the new additions and young talent be able to fill the departures? Among the top four safeties on the team last season, only one remains going into 2025 – Delpit. The Browns signed three proven veteran safeties in free agency while grabbing McMillon. Jenkins had 100-plus tackle seasons in 2022 and 2023 with the Chargers before a hand injury in the middle of the 2024 season derailed a third consecutive campaign. Kazee has recorded multiple interceptions in five of his eight seasons, including picking off seven passes in 2018 and having three consecutive seasons of two interceptions from 2021-23 with Dallas and Pittsburgh. Needham started his NFL career strong in 2019 after being signed as an undrafted free agent by Miami. In his first three seasons, he recorded multiple interceptions and 50-plus tackles before his 2022 season was wrecked by injuries. Since then, he's been working to reclaim his place in an NFL starting lineup and will have his chance to earn a role in Cleveland.
If the Browns want to reclaim being the best passing defense in the NFL like they did in 2023, then the safeties will need to have success playing alongside Delpit in the secondary.
See how 2024 tackles leader Grant Delpit and free agent addition Rayshawn Jenkins are forming the backline of the defense
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (28) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) and Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (28) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 12, 2025.
Safety Nik Needham (25) during the second day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 11, 2025.
Safety Nik Needham (25) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during the second day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 11, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during the second day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 11, 2025.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (28) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during the first day of OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 27, 2025.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during the first day of OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 28, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (28) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2025.
Safety Nik Needham (25) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (28) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2025.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during the first day of OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 27, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2025.
Defensive back Donovan McMillon (31) during fieldwork on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2025.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2025.
Defensive back Donovan McMillon (31) during fieldwork on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2025.
Defensive back Christopher Edmonds (41) during fieldwork on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 12, 2025.
Defensive back Donovan McMillon (31) during fieldwork on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 6, 2025.
Safety Nik Needham (25) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 12, 2025.
Defensive back Christopher Edmonds (41) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Donovan McMillon (31) during fieldwork on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during the first day of OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 27, 2025.
Defensive back Christopher Edmonds (41) during fieldwork on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (37) and Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during the sixth day of OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 6, 2025.
Defensive back Donovan McMillon (31) during fieldwork on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2025.
Safety Nik Needham (25) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 30, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 6, 2025.
Cornerback Nik Needham during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 29, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during the first day of OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 27, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 30, 2025.
Defensive back Donovan McMillon (31) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Cornerback Nik Needham during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 29, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 7, 2025.
Defensive back Donovan McMillon (31) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Cornerback Nik Needham (25) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 6, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (28) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during fieldwork in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2025.
Cornerback Nik Needham (25) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 7, 2025.
Cornerback Nik Needham (25) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 30, 2025.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (28) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during the sixth day of OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 6, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during the first day of OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 27, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during the fifth day of OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 4, 2025.
The biggest number: 111. The number of total tackles Delpit recorded in 2024. Part of the reason why Delpit was able to achieve his career-high in tackles was due to safeties coach Ephraim Banda moving him into the box. This helped Delpit be closer to the ball off the snap and record his second career 100-tackle season after doing so in 2022.
"I think Grant is really starting to touch the true greatness that he can be," Banda said. "You see it. I know that we had whatever we had in terms of the season, but he had a phenomenal year. I mean, reached the 100-tackle mark again. Played really, really good football at the second level. So, he's got himself to a good spot."
The X-Factor: Delpit. Last season, anytime the opponent had the ball, Delpit was often the one tackling the ball carrier at the end of the play. In part thanks to Banda and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz moving Delpit up into the box, the safety had a career year. With new additions to the safeties, Delpit will become the leader of the unit as well as continue to be one of the leaders on the Browns' defense.
"We're focusing more on the third level for (Delpit) right now, so he can be a true complete safety in all those areas, take advantage of opportunities at the third level and help us create more plays," Banda said.
Says it all: "The bottom line is they have to be (the nerve center of the defense). The safety room has to fix problems. That's our job. Our job is to be the mainframe. Our job is to be able to take information, process it fast and fix the things that need to be fixed or operate. This is the league. It's how it works. So, it's absolutely necessary for those guys to be the nerve center for us to be able to handle those things." – Banda on the responsibility that the safety room has within the defense
How many were kept on the initial 53-man roster in 2024: 5
