Cleveland improves their secondary by signing the former Kansas City Chief.
The Browns knew in order to have a more competent defense next year that their secondary was in need of some help. Cleveland agreed to a three-year deal with safety Juan Thornhill worth $21 million total and $14 million guaranteed over the first two years.
Thornhill appeared in 16 games last season for Kansas City, finishing with nine pass defenses and three interceptions in addition to 71 total tackles. These are all career-highs for Thornhill, with his interception total matching that of his rookie season. Opposing quarterbacks completed 32 of 47 attempts in his direction with five touchdowns allowed. Pro Football Focus and their opinionated analysis has given him a grade of 67.1. Overall Thornhill appears to be a fine player, but not the routine game changer teams covet. That fact is more than fine as players of his caliber are important too.
The 27-year old safety does not have to be a superstar for this signing to be successful. All Thornhill has to do is bring a consistent level of play that John Johnson III simply was unable to. If the Browns can get average play at the back end from Thornhill it will go a long way. When combined with the pre-existing extraordinary talents on the roster it should result in the Browns defense being less of a liability. Perhaps it could even turn into an asset at some point down the line.
