A Closer Look at an Overlooked Position Duel in Cleveland
Juan Thornhill’s departure to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers precursors an intense, under-the-radar battle for the starting free safety job in Cleveland. While Ronnie Hickman, the former undrafted free agent turned quality backup, is the presumptive favorite to win the job, the additions of quality veterans Rayshawn Jenkins and Damontae Kazee will almost certainly apply pressure, providing years of starting experience and impressive production. In 2023, the success of Cleveland’s secondary was the driving force behind their playoff run. Figuring out the free safety spot in 2025 would result in a massive stride toward replicating their success this season.
Kazee brings 62 games of starting experience as an NFL safety to the table, giving the former San Diego State star a sizable edge over Hickman based on seniority and merit. Unfortunately, his ample experience correlates with an aging profile. Having recently turned 32 years old, Kazee will need to prove that he still has plenty of juice in the tank to stick around in Cleveland. However, Kazee’s chances of landing the starting role appear slim. Rayshawn Jenkins brings even more starting experience to the table, having started 80 games across his career, including every game throughout his last five seasons. With at least 100 tackles in each of the past two seasons, the 31-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down. While Kazee’s experience may place him a tier above Hickman, he faces a steep climb to surpass Jenkins on the depth chart.
Despite the stable veteran presence provided by both players, neither is ahead of 23-year-old Ronnie Hickman. As the Browns look to rebuild their identity by relying on young talent, giving Hickman the chance to take the reins of their safety room feels like the most logical decision. This is not to say that no merit factors into this choice either. Despite logging just nine starts in his career, Hickman has shown legitimate flashes in both coverage and run support, notably housing a pick-six to help Cleveland clinch a playoff berth in 2023. While the addition of two veterans certainly appears daunting, Hickman’s youth and two years of impressive play seemingly give him a leg-up in the Browns’ starting safety battle.
