Safety first.

OK, maybe not first.

But how about eighth? Safety eighth?

That doesn’t have a great ring to it, but it’s how the Browns have done it in the NFL Draft, using their eighth pick overall, in the fourth round at No. 129, to take Texas Christian safety Derrick Kindred.

Safety was a huge need heading into the draft. The Browns went into the draft not having any players at that position – at least none to speak of – after releasing Donte Whitner and then allowing Tashaun Gipson to walk away in free agency in the offseason. Gipson was a big loss.

Kindred will help get the Browns started over at that position area.

It seemed he could have been a little more productive in college – maybe even a lot more productive . But then again, if getting the pass rushers earlier in the draft works out and quarterbacks don’t have a lot of time to throw, Kindred might not be counted on to make a lot of plays.