Browns sign special teams ace Daniel Thomas in NFL free agency
As the Browns look to add talent in the second wave of NFL free agency, they have agreed to a deal with special teams ace Daniel Thomas
The Cleveland Browns have struck another deal in NFL free agency, this time signing a special teams ace and safety. The Browns have come to terms with former Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas. The financial details of the deal have yet to be disclosed, but the special teams ace is coming off a season with 23 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended on the defensive side of the ball in Detroit.
With over 1,400 career special teams snaps, Thomas is active on every special teams unit except for the field goal unit. #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 How Thomas fits with the Browns Thomas enters a safety room that lacks bodies on top of the special teams duties.
While the Browns are likely set with Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman as their starters (as soon as Hickman signs his tender), they do not have much depth. Last season, Rayshawn Jenkins saw the field a ton for the Browns, but he is currently a free agent. Undrafted free agent Donovan McMillon is the other safety in the room.
Obviously, the Browns fielded some of the consistently worst special teams units in the NFL a year ago. With former special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone now off to Los Angeles with the Rams, bringing Thomas in will help the Browns overhaul their third phase of the game. This signing, however, would not stop the Browns from adding another safety , and potentially even in the top half of the 2026 NFL draft.