Grant Delpit says he hasn't done enough, determined to do more to help Browns win

BEREA — Grant Delpit feels the pressure to lead the turnaround.And the responsibility.Delpit, a safety, has become one of the staples of the Browns defense. He missed his rookie season in 2020 with a torn Achilles then has started 52 of 61 games. The second-round pick was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2023 before a groin injury ended his season but hasn't been the consistent driving force he'd like to be.Training Camp Log, Day 4: Shedeur Sanders throws TDs as offense shows signs of life"Obviously I'm hard on myself," he said Saturday after training camp practice. "I haven't been doing enough to help this team win in my opinion. So whatever I could do to improve that, improve myself, that's what I'm going to do."The Browns are looking for a giant bounce-back after going 3-14 last season.The defense slipped from a No. 1 ranking in 2023 — when the Browns won 11 games and made the playoffs — to 19th in total yards, 12th vs. the pass, 21st against the run and tied for 28th in points (25.6). A rebound in wins this year is dependent on the defense returning to the league's upper echelon. Delpit joins defensive end Myles Garrett, cornerback Denzel Ward, rookie defensive tackle Mason Graham and rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger as the keys to making that happen.For Delpit, that starts with generating takeaways. He had only a fumble recovery last season, after an interception and fumble recovery in 2023. He had four interceptions in 2022 in a breakout year that included 105 tackles, four for loss, and 10 passes defensed.Shedeur Sanders shows patience as he continues to wait for first-team reps"Of course, it's getting to the ball. Getting to that brown thing like Schwartz says," Delpit said, referring to coordinator Jim Schwartz. "I haven't been getting enough takeaways and turnovers. So that's a big focus that we got going on in this camp, whether it be punching the ball out, attacking the ball. It's frustrating with quarterbacks just checking the ball down. So try to get in those guys' heads, try to get them to throw the ball down the field a little bit, but gotta come up with more takeaways."I think we only had four interceptions last year. I think Denzel had three of 'em, so I told him not this year."Ward had two, and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and cornerback Greg Newsome II one apiece. The Browns were last in the league in interceptions, tied for 30th with 12 total takeaways and last with a minus-22 turnover margin."I don't think there's any answer to that, like a secret Krabby Patty formula to get interceptions and stuff like that, but it's just about being in the right place," Delpit said. "I would say that we didn't come up with a few (last year), and I know for sure I dropped one in the end zone. But at the end of the day, you got to come up with the contested catchers, get the offense back the ball. It's a team sport. That could do a lot for our offense's morale and confidence."Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco talk drive to win starting job, handling the uncertainty, how they spent their summer breaksHe's been studying a fellow LSU alum for tips, Tyrann Mathieu."It's just asserting yourself as far as being a guy who the ball finds," Delpit said. "I think that's a big deal. You see who just retired, Honey Badger. The ball always seemed to find the Honey Badger. I've been watching a lot of his tape. So being one of those guys that's a ball magnet."Delpit led the team with 111 tackles last season, adding seven tackles for loss, a sack, five quarterback hits and a pass defensed. He signed a three-year, $36 million extension in December 2023."Grant's obviously a guy that we believe in," Stefanski said. "You give those contracts to guys that fit who you are. And Grant is a physical football player, fits our scheme really well and then as you get older in your career, leadership emerges."And the nice part about Grant, what I appreciate about Grant, is he's the same guy every day. He's very, very authentic in the way he leads."Delpit will turn 27 on Sept. 20. That's the prime for many athletes, so the Browns are optimistic the best is yet to come, including using him more in the deep middle of the field rather than mostly near the line of scrimmage."I think Grant is really starting to touch the true greatness that he can be," safeties coach Ephraim Banda said at minicamp in June. "You see it. I know that we had whatever we had in terms of the season, but he had a phenomenal year. Reached the hundred-tackle mark again, played really, really good football at the second level."So he's definitely got himself to a good spot. Now where can I help him grow in other areas? We're focusing more on the third level for him right now so that 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."Delpit doesn't shy away from any task."I do it all, man. MLB, high key, anything, so anywhere in the football field," he said. "That's cool to be able to fit in and be comfortable and I think that gives guys confidence, as well. If they see me doing everything, they know that they can do it also."Delpit is the constant in the safety room after Rodney McLeod retired and Juan Thornhill was cut. Ronnie Hickman is in line to start at free safety, with former undrafted free agent Christopher Edmonds and veteran free agent pickups Rayshawn Jenkins, Damontae Kazee and Nik Needham in the mix for roster spots.Delpit is the clear leader of the room."Shoutout to Rod. He definitely helped me kind of mature as a player the last two years he was here and so he kind of prepared me for this role that I'm in now," Delpit said. "So I was always ready to lead the room and really take it on my shoulders. So I'm excited to be that guy on the defense and bring everybody with me."The post Grant Delpit says he hasn't done enough, determined to do more to help Browns win first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.