Even though it’s April Fool’s Day, this report appears to be no joke. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the Browns are expected to release projected starting safety Derrick Kindred.
Rapoport notes the team has been shopping him behind the scenes but cannot find any acceptable offers for Kindred. The fourth-year safety played in all 16 games last season and was penciled in as Jabrill Peppers’ replacement as the strong safety following Peppers being involved in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade.
Kindred was at his best in 2017 as an attacking box safety versus the run, racking up several tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. He has consistently struggled in coverage situations.
Kindred’s expected release lends even more credence to the speculation that the Browns are pursuing a free agent safety (Tre Boston? Earl Thomas?) or targeting one with the No. 49 overall pick in this month’s draft.
