In example #103532 of why the “initial” 53-man roster is never the “final”53-man roster, the NFL continues to have roster moves (some huge like the Micah Parsons trade) three days after the first cutdown happened. The Cleveland Browns initial 53-man roster has already seen a couple of changes to it along with two waves of practice squad signings.
For a team that likely needs to be led by their defense, especially with something missing from the run game, the Browns will sorely miss LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
(JOK) and CB Martin Emerson Jr. Injuries are a part of the game but having both of those defensive starters would really give Cleveland’s defense the ability to hit an elite tier.
The sudden retirement of LB Jordan Hicks could have had a big impact but rookie LB Carson Schwesinger has looked great in the middle linebacker role. Filling in next to him, in JOK’s spot, still is a big question mark.
Friday, the New England Patriots may have given GM Andrew Berry a chance to do just that, in a very creative way, with the release of former Browns first-round pick S Jabrill Peppers:
Miscast as a free safety in Cleveland, Peppers has excelled closer to the line of scrimmage since departing the Browns. Similar to Owusu-Koramoah, Peppers is versatile with the ability to play the run, rush the passer, and play in coverage. Unlike his first go-round, Peppers will not be an angel on the field (although his signing could be heavenly).
For those who don’t remember, former Cleveland DC Gregg Williams had Peppers lining up so far back at safety that camera angles (and, jokingly, wider screen TVs) had to be used. Williams said that Peppers was playing the “angel” spot:
According to Pro Football Focus, Peppers has lined up in a variety of positions throughout his career, including last year with the Patriots, when he missed eight games. (2024 is the top number):
In limited snaps in 2024, Peppers had his second-best defensive grade (82.3) and signed a contract extension after his best graded season in 2023 (87.3).
Currently, the Browns have Mohamoud Diabate slotted to start in JOK’s role next to Schwesinger, but the former undrafted free agent did not play this preseason at all due to an unknown injury issue. Veteran Jerome Baker and UDFA Easton Mascarenas-Arnold are backups to Diabate.
Given the timing of the release, Peppers is unlikely to secure a contract much above the veteran minimum at this point. Depending on the language of his contract extension last offseason, anything over the minimum might just offset what New England owes him anyway.
Current Cleveland GM Andrew Berry was working under then-GM Sashi Brown when the team drafted Peppers. The familiarity could lead to a reunion, this time much closer to the line of scrimmage.
Do you think Peppers could be a helpful signing for the Browns defense this year or should the team focus on developing younger players?
