New coordinator Mike Rutenberg inherits a capable safety duo in Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman, but trade rumors and a high-upside rookie could reshape the Cleveland Browns secondary.
The Cleveland Browns defensive scheme will look a little different this year under new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg. Fortunately, he has a solid collection of players in certain levels of the defense at his disposal.
Safety is one of those areas that projects as a relative strength for Cleveland, with Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman turning into a reliable duo for the unit in recent years.
Add rookie Emmanuel McNiel-Warren into the mix, and Rutenberg has plenty of talent and depth and his disposal.
Here's where things stand with the Browns safety room:
Projected Depth Chart
SS: Grant Delpit, Daniel Thomas, Christopher Edmonds, Zion Washington
FS: Ronnie Hickman, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Donovan McMillon,
Biggest Question
Similar to Denzel Ward, Delpit's future remains a mystery at the moment, in the aftermath of the Myles Garrett trade. The biggest difference, however, is that Cleveland's depth at safety is a little bit better than its depth at cornerback, making a Delpit trade far less demoralizing if it were to happen; granted, nothing seems imminent.
Assuming Delpit is still with the franchise by the time Week 1 rolls around, though, the biggest questions will center around rookie safety McNeil-Warren. He's the Browns future at the position and brings an exciting skill set to the secondary.
Where Rutenberg chooses to deploy him and how much he plays is something to watch for during camp. He missed most of the spring workouts due to an injury, but seems poised to spend a lot of time in the slot and down in the box making plays.
Best Case Scenario
Obviously, this scenario would see Delpit remain in town and be one of the key voices and contributors on defense. He follows up one of the most consistent and productive seasons of his career in 2025 with another strong campaign this fall, helping anchor the secondary with Ward.
Meanwhile, Delpit's running mate, Hickman, continues to be a steady force in his own right, after starting all 17 games last season and posting career highs in interceptions (2) and tackles (103). He posts similar numbers in 2026 and earns a long-term contract for himself next offseason.
As for McNeil-Warren, he emerges as another rising star of the Browns defense, carving out a role as the third safety and getting a healthy wealth of playing time in his first season. By season's end, he looks like a cornerstone player for the franchise to build around in the years ahead.
Worst Case Scenario
Conversely, Delpit gets traded, and Cleveland loses another veteran voice and contributor on defense. With another key figure gone, the defense takes a massive step back this season as a young roster goes through some growing pains.
In a contract year, Hickman regresses and McNeil-Warren first year is a struggle, particularly in coverage. By season's end, he looks like more of a project than a key pillar for the future on defense.
