Cleveland Browns: Five free agent targets for the 2020 offseason

Arguably my favorite target for the Cleveland Browns this offseason is former Minnesota Vikings free safety Anthony Harris. After being an underdog throughout his professional career, Harris had a breakthrough season in 2019, tying for the league-lead in interceptions.

Add in 60 total tackles and double-digit pass deflections and Anthony Harris was one of the best safeties in football last season. Harris made the most of his playing time throughout his five-year stint in Minnesota and really took advantage of a true starting role a season ago. For the first time in his career, Harris played over 60% of his team’s defensive snaps, totaling over 1,000 plays on defense and special teams.

The number one thing that links Anthony Harris to the Cleveland Browns (aside from their glaring need at the position with Damarious Randall set to leave in free agency) is new Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. While Stefanski worked with the offense for the Vikings, he was on the sideline game after game, watching Harris’ breakout season first hand.

When you look at the 2020 NFL Draft prospects at the safety position, the majority of them are more fit to play strong safety than free safety. Aside from maybe Antoine Winfield Jr. (who the Browns should jump all over in the second round if they are unable to land Harris), the other guys lack the ability to play consistently in a deep zone as a centerfielder. Harris can be that guy for the Browns.

Cleveland will likely need to bring in a pair of starting safeties this offseason. If they can land a proven, but still high-potential guy like Harris at free safety, that would open the door for a number of prospects in the draft to play on the other end. Defensive coordinator Joe Woods has a background as a defensive backs coach, so he should love having Harris in the fold and would be able to give his input on who he would like to see paired with him in the draft.

While Harris has just recently broken onto the scene as an elite NFL safety, I believe he is just that. Furthermore, with his lack of starting experience, he is surely only scratching the surface of what he can be in the NFL.

After going undrafted out of Virginia due to injury concerns, Harris has had a lot to prove his entire career. He has proven he is worth the time he is now seeing on the field and will look to prove to the Cleveland Browns that he is worth the $12-14 million a year he is surely going to command.