Exclusive: Browns rookie safety has stepped up when needed, and is ready to do it again in the playoffs
Although they’re never ideal, injuries are part of sports. They’ve made the Browns rely on players who weren’t on the roster at the start of the season, practice squad members, and backups to step in and help win games.
One rookie safety who has seized the chance is Ronnie Hickman Jr., a former undrafted free agent who has worked hard to establish himself as a valuable member of a postseason team.
Hickman has come a long way this season—from being undrafted to being a possible starter for a playoff team—and he’s prepared for the next challenge.
“It’s been an extremely lengthy season. Just taking everything in. Hickman stated, “Trying to enjoy this first year, and we were fortunate enough to make the playoffs.”
After the Rams chosen Desjuan Johnson with the last pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, Hickman was left without a group. The undrafted free agent was contacted shortly thereafter by the Browns, who offered him a chance to make the team despite not promising him a spot on the roster.
He took the risk and went for it.
“There’s a ton of folks that would kill to be in the position I’m in the present moment,” Hickman expressed back in May. “It’s simply a potential chance to satisfy a fantasy I’ve had since I was 5.”
The previous Buckeye, who learned four different protective playbooks during his time in Columbus, crushed his direction onto the underlying 53-man program.
Now, fast forward to the present, and his father, Ronnie Sr., gave him the nickname “Rocket” when he was young. has turned into a genuine guarded donor for the Browns in front of Saturday’s special case matchup in Houston.
It took some time. Between Weeks 2 and 8, Hickman didn’t play, and he only played 40 snaps in the first 13 games of the season. Be that as it may, through remaining ready for his number to be called, a statement by a veteran partner has remained with him the whole season.
“One thing Rodney (McLeod) put on the board in our room was he composed, ‘Improve.’ That was one statement that sort of stayed with me from OTAs,” Hickman said.
During the second half of the season, injuries occurred to members of the Browns’ secondary.
Security Juan Thornhill’s calf injury kept him out for four games between Weeks 11-16. McLeod, another veteran security, experienced a season-finishing torn biceps in Week 11. Also, Star Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward was sidelined between Weeks 12-14 as he proceeded to rebuild his shoulder injury.
Thus, cautious organizer Jim Schwartz peered down the rundown of auxiliary reinforcements to assist with making up for the shortfall, and brought Hickman out for activity.
Gradually yet continuously, Hickman gained ground.
“Whenever it was my opportunity or my future time to step on a field, I realized I just needed to capitalize on it,” Hickman said. ” So going out there and having the option to make plays and, you know, having the option to impart, that is something you need to do as a security. I’ve been instructed that at each level. So something required.”
Through 13 snaps, Hickman added up to four handles in the Week 10 win over Pittsburgh, per Ace Football Concentration. He at last made his most memorable vocation start in the Week 14 win over Jacksonville, representing two handles and one pass shielded through 76 snaps. After that game, Hickman positioned 10th in the group in PFF generally speaking cautious reviewing (72.7) and first in tackle evaluating (78.2).
Hickman kept at it and added up to 11 handles and two passes shielded between the Week 15 win over Chicago and Week 16 win over Houston, however his season feature was around the bend.
A couple of days after the success in Houston, the Browns facilitated the Planes for Seven days 17 Thursday night game, with an opportunity to punch their ticket for the end of the season games.
Late in the primary quarter, the Browns offense neglected to benefit from an open door after Mike Portage recuperated a bobbled Planes the opening shot return. In any case, Hickman compensated for that on the Planes’ third play of the following series.
He read quarterback Trevor Siemian looking toward wide collector Garrett Wilson and jumped on the pass. On the same play, Hickman ran outside right behind blockers to catch the interception and return it for his first touchdown of his career.
It’s minutes like those that outcome in Schwartz giving Hickman high commendation for his play while his colleagues were out with wounds.
“Normally when you’re newbies, they can take care of their business, yet they need someone to guide them or another person to settle on the decisions,” Schwartz said. ” Ronnie really became the glue of our secondary when Juan (Thornhill) and Grant (Delpit) were injured. He communicated as well as, if not better than, any rookie safety I’ve worked with, and I believe he’s made plays.
While the Browns plan for Houston, they are not minus any additional wounds. Security Award Delpit, who was as of late initiated off IR, has been precluded, Thornhill is sketchy, and Ward experienced a knee injury during Thursday’s training and is problematic.
Wounds has been a major topic of Cleveland’s season, and as Kevin Stefanski has over and over said, “next man up.” Hickman, Cameron Mitchell, a fifth-round cornerback, and safety D’Anthony Bell are the next men up.
At NRG Stadium on Saturday, Hickman could see more time as a significant contributor.
Additionally, he takes pride in representing his home state of New Jersey, which he “doesn’t feel receives its deserved props as a hotbed for gridiron talent,” in addition to his desire to win.
When I step onto the field, I make it a point to do everything in my power to best represent Jersey. I simply recall seeing every one of the folks from my state seeing them on Sundays,” Hickman said. ” Knowing that there are children out there who have looked at me and thought, “I know that’s the kid from where I’m from,” It’s simply a gigantic honor, I’m glad to express I’m from Jersey.”
