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Browns Add A New Special Teamer To The Roster, But Could They Be An Underrated Defensive Play?

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 14: Colby Parkinson #84 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Daniel Thomas #2 of the Detroit Lions during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Getty Images) | Getty Images

According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer, the Cleveland Browns have signed free agent safety Daniel Thomas:

#Browns have agreed to terms with former #Lions and #Jaguars (S and Special Teamer) Daniel Thomas, source tells clevelanddotcom.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 18, 2026

Jones was originally a fifth round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, where he spent the first five years of his career. Last year, he signed with the Detroit Lions, although an injury caused him to miss half of the season.

Jones has 94 tackles during his career. Although he served a role as a backup safety, he has also been utilized on special teams throughout his career. With the Lions last year, he had 15 tackles on defense and 8 tackles on special teams. In his last two years with the Jaguars, he saw almost no action on defense, but logged a total of 15 tackles on special teams.

While Jones may not be known as a special teams ace per se, the fact that he has experience is a plus, considering how Cleveland’s unit was plug-and-play last season. Could the Browns be intrigued by Thomas’ ability to be part of the rotation? When he received a chance to play on defense at the end of last season, he thrived:

From Weeks 14–18, Lions reserve safeties Daniel Thomas (86.2 — 3rd), Avonte Maddox (84.8 — 6th), and Thomas Harper (81.7 — 7th) graded as three of PFF’s top seven safeties after being forced into action due to injury.

That stretch was part of why Lions safeties coach Jim O’Neill… https://t.co/T34qDpH5b7

— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) February 12, 2026