The Cleveland Browns were not a team that was high in the Earl Thomas sweepstakes to start, but that was quickly changed.
The seven-time Pro Bowl safety was recently released by the Baltimore Ravens after an on the field altercation.
At first, Cleveland didn’t seem like an ideal landing spot for Thomas, but maybe he is.
On Monday, rookie safety Grant Delpit tore his Achilles during practice.
#Browns rookie safety Grant Delpit is believed to have torn his Achilles, per @AdamSchefter. A non-contact injury. If confirmed, his season is over before it began.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 25, 2020
The second-round pick is expected to miss the entire 2020 season, which is a huge blow to the Browns defense.
Veteran Andrew Sendejo will likely be asked to step up and start in the absence of Delpit.
However, one NFL insider believes that the Browns could be in on Thomas.
Browns Landing Thomas?
Cleveland is a team that has plenty of money and a good reason to go after Thomas in free agency.
The front office has done a tremendous job bringing in talent over the last couple of seasons.
The Browns appear to be a team that is ready to actually compete for a playoff spot.
Sadly, injuries have already hit them hard, but Adam Schefter believes the Browns could be in on Thomas.
Schefter suggested this morning on Sports Center the #Browns as one of the teams in on Earl Thomas
— Jeff-LJ-Lloyd (@Jeff_LJ_Lloyd) August 25, 2020
On paper, bringing in Thomas does make sense for Cleveland.
He’s a veteran presence and that is a top tier talent at his position.
The Browns are a team that is trying to win-now and just lost their rookie safety for the entire season.
The pieces seem to fit, but sadly it’s not that easy.
Would Thomas Come To Cleveland?
The 31-year-old safety does not have the best leverage after getting released by Baltimore.
Thomas got into a fight with his own teammate and it cost him his spot on the roster.
In 2018, Thomas held up his middle finger to Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll while being carted off the field.
Thomas finds a way to get himself kicked off teams, but he’s still one of the best safeties in the league.
That being said, Thomas is a player that wants to win and the Browns don’t exactly have a winning culture.
To be fair, Cleveland has a much better roster than a did a few seasons ago.
A team like the Dallas Cowboys might sound like a more appealing option, but we’ll leave that up for Thomas to decide.
The Browns might be able to get away with Sendejo as the starter, but Thomas would be an obvious improvement.
Clearly, the experts feel the Browns will be in on Thomas, but we’ll wait and see what the front office wants to do.
NEXT: The 3 Best Options To Replace Safety Grant Delpit