The Cleveland Browns have a hole to fill at free safety with the departure of Mike Adams to Denver. Second-year safety Eric Hagg is getting the first crack.
Hagg has been running with the Browns’ first-team defense throughout early OTAs, and Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer confirms that Hagg “has the early edge” over Usama Young to start on opening day.
The Browns’ seventh-round pick in 2011, Hagg is being thrust into a significant role entering his second season. He didn’t start any games last year, appearing in ten and playing primarily on special teams.
It is a nice opportunity, though, for a promising prospect. Though he was relatively unheralded coming out of Nebraska, Hagg led the Cornhuskers with five interceptions as a senior -- more than fellow draft picks Prince Amukamara (Giants) and DeJon Gomes (Redskins), who played in the same Nebraska secondary.