You’ve heard of All-Pro or All-Rookie teams before, but Pro Football Focus is taking it a step further and making an All-Undrafted team at the NFL level. The Cleveland Browns have had their fair share of gems as undrafted free agents over the years, as my mind thinks of the likes of Josh Cribbs, Taylor Gabriel, and Tashaun Gipson. But who in the modern era fits that bill?
The answer is safety Ronnie Hickman. PFF listed Hickman, along with the Texans’ Reed Blankenship, were the two starting safeties
represented. PFF noted the contrasts between the two players, highlighting Hickman’s ascent as a starter in 2025:
Ronnie Hickman Jr. brings a much different profile. At 24 years old, he is one of the youngest players on this roster and has steadily earned a larger role since entering the league. After two productive seasons in a rotational capacity, Hickman claimed a starting job in 2025 and continued his ascent. He ranked among the top 10 safeties in both PFF coverage grade (75.3) and passer rating allowed (65.7) among 80 qualifying players.
Cleveland added safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the second round of this year’s draft, but he’s expected to complement the tandem of Hickman and Grant Delpit, not replace them. However, Hickman was also a restricted free agent who signed his tender recently. If he hits the free agent market next year and commands a big contract, Cleveland might take that opportunity to have McNeil-Warren slip in to a starting role.
