The Cleveland Browns are going to sign former Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Morgan Burnett to a contract.
After trading Jabrill Peppers to the New York Giants, the Cleveland Browns needed help at the safety position. Earlier in the week Cleveland executed a trade to acquire Eric Murray from the Kansas City Chiefs. Now John Dorsey is at it again, signing Morgan Burnett to a contract. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com had the report.
ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported that the deal is for two years.
Morgan Burnett is a nine-year NFL veteran who has spent time with both the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers. Over the course of his career Burnett has totaled 747 tackles and nine interceptions. 23 tackles have gone for a loss, including 7.5 sacks. Burnett has also forced eight fumbles and recovered 10. Burnett has also defended 50 passes in nine years, his career-high coming in 2011 with 11. Pro Football Focus grades Burnett as above average and ranks him as the 53rd safety overall. This is very similar to the ranking that Eric Murray has, but again what matters is his grade and not his rank. Getting above average safety play is essential in the modern pass-happy NFL and that is just what Morgan Burnett gives a team.
The Cleveland Browns continue to cast a wide net in order to fix holes on the roster. Acquiring Eric Murray from the Chiefs and now signing Morgan Burnett. Depth in the secondary is something that the Browns will need in order to compete this season. Having options of whether to use Murray or Burnett and even possibly both of them will only benefit the Cleveland defense in 2019. The Browns will be able to evaluate which player will benefit their defense most in certain situations and even mix and match with other secondary players on the roster.
This also lessens the need to address the position in the draft. This allows more flexibility to go with the best player available and not draft according to positional need. Additionally if there is not a safety available when the Browns pick, it does not put them in a bad spot in regards to roster construction.
