Mandatory minicamp is typically the first required event on the NFL calendar where player attendance and participation in drills are expected. For the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday's session at Berea illuminated uncertainties regarding the health and availability of key defensive backs, as safety Grant Delpit remained sidelined from drills and cornerback Denzel Ward participated on a limited basis.
The status of these two veterans raises important questions about the depth and readiness of a Browns secondary already facing scrutiny over consistency. Notably, Grant Delpit, entering his sixth NFL season with the Browns after being selected in the second round of the 2020 draft, has missed voluntary offseason training activities (OTAs) and now stands out by his absence from mandatory minicamp drills.
Delpit has been a reliable presence on Cleveland's defense, starting 59 games over five seasons, including all 17 games in the 2024 season and a full 16-game slate in 2023. Despite his full workload in recent years, the team has not officially listed any injury for Delpit, nor have they provided a specific reason for his absence from the organized team activities.
This lack of communication leaves room for speculation, including questions about contract negotiations, motivation, or a philosophical disagreement with the team. However, none of these remain confirmed, and the Browns have yet to offer clarity on the issue.
General Manager Andrew Berry manages a salary cap situation complicated by $116.82 million in dead money this season--the highest in the league--leaving only $18.57 million in cap space. This restricts the team's flexibility in addressing roster needs, particularly in the defensive backfield where salary commitments are significant.
Delpit is under contract through the 2026 season, following a three-year, $36 million extension signed in 2023. His cap hit for this season stands at $11.8 million. Should the Browns decide to trade or release him after June 1, they would save $4.7 million but incur $7.1 million in dead money against the cap.
Adding further complexity, Cleveland invested heavily in the secondary with Denzel Ward's five-year, $100.5 million extension signed in 2022 and by drafting safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the second round (58th overall) of the 2026 draft. McNeil-Warren is viewed as a versatile deep safety and could compete for snaps immediately, although he is not yet a direct replacement for Delpit.
Every missed practice rep in June shifts responsibility to backups or rookies, such as McNeil-Warren or veteran Ronnie Hickman. For a defense that is integrating a new scheme under coordinator Mike Rutenberg, full continuity and chemistry within the secondary are crucial, and missing time in minicamp inevitably limits this.
Denzel Ward's limited participation differs somewhat. The three-time Pro Bowler is on a managed workload, likely reflective of his history with concussions and soft-tissue injuries that have caused him to miss games in each of the past three seasons. Ward's approach to the offseason appears focused on maintaining long-term health, which is understandable given the team's investment and his importance to the defense.
Ward's limited presence means that someone else steps into first-team reps at the outside cornerback position. Rookie Michael Coats Jr. and second-year player Myles Harden have emerged as the primary candidates. Harden, a 2024 fourth-round pick, saw 218 defensive snaps as a rookie and allowed a completion rate just under 65 percent when targeted--a respectable but below Ward's Pro Bowl standards.
The combined effect of Delpit's absence and Ward's limited workload means the Browns' secondary has yet to practice at full strength during both the voluntary and mandatory phases of the offseason program.
Offensive coordinator Travis Switzer remarked recently that "we still have some installs to get through," reflecting ongoing work on both sides of the ball. However, defensive installation, particularly in the secondary, demands live reps to coordinate coverage rotations, blitz assignments, and communication responsibilities inherent to complex defensive schemes. Without the full complement of starters, these tasks become more challenging.
Switzer also noted, "I think the guys are starting to get a little more comfortable with the system," though this sentiment more accurately applies to the offense. The secondary, by contrast, remains a work in progress due to missing personnel.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, commenting on quarterback competition during the offseason, underscored the importance of repetition, saying that if a player isn't performing, the coaching staff will take action. This principle extends to the defensive side as well, where consistent reps build trust and synchronization essential for effective coverage.
The Browns' offense, facing its own growing pains with a new quarterback room led by Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, already needs the defense to play at a high level early in the season. Gabriel completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 937 yards in 10 games in 2025, while Sanders threw 10 interceptions against seven touchdowns. Neither set of numbers provides comfort or reduces pressure on the defense.
While the Browns have experienced and capable backups such as Daniel Thomas, who has played 58 career games and can cover either safety spot, along with nickel and boundary corner options Myles Bryant and Tre Avery, these veterans are depth pieces rather than long-term starters.
It is important to note that it is still early June; players occasionally miss minicamp sessions for various legitimate reasons, including family obligations, contract discussions, or personal preferences. Such absences are not unusual in the offseason.
Nevertheless, the existing pattern stands out due to the salary cap context and the lack of momentum in instilling a new defensive system. The Browns cannot afford to waste a season on a secondary that has not had sufficient practice together. With significant dead money limiting mid-season roster adjustments, every win matters more than usual, and losses become more difficult to address.
If Delpit returns for training camp and Ward is fully active by mid-July, these concerns will become little more than minor offseason notes. However, should their participation lag into August, questions about the Browns' secondary health and depth will grow increasingly urgent.
Ultimately, clarity will come only when the helmets are on in full practice form. For now, that clarity remains elusive.