Safety Whitner, too

Donte Whitner reportedly is headed back to his hometown of Cleveland. (USATSI)

More NFL offseason: Mock Drafts | Prospect Rankings | Pro Days | Top free agents

With the Browns likely about to lose safety T.J. Ward to free agency, they're reportedly about to gain another high-profile safety in Donte Whitner.

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Whitner, a Cleveland native, will be returning to play for his hometown team beginning in 2014.

"This would be a chance for him to come back home and give back to the community," a source told reporter Mary Kay Cabot. "He feels it's his responsibility to make his hometown a better place.

The 28-year-old ranks No. 20 on our CBSSports.com free agent list -- even if he can't figure out whether he wants to keep the "W" at the beginning of his surname -- but he figures to be cheaper than Jairus Byrd, who could become the highest-paid free agency in NFL history whenever and wherever he signs a deal.

Whitner has spent the last three seasons with the 49ers, and he's coming off a strong performance in 2013. He ranked as the No. 6 safety according to Pro Football Focus, and he accumulated 82 tackles, two interceptions and a career-high 15 pass break-ups.

Later Tuesday, Whitner tweeted his excitement about going back to Ohio.

Building something in Cleveland that WILL NOT be forgotten! I also look forward to helping build back my community and watching it flourish

— DonteHitner (@DonteWhitner) March 11, 2014

NFL Hot News

Devin Hester: I'm the best all-around player in the NFL



Devin Hester won't be returning to the Chicago Bears after a memorable eight-year run. He knows that he must now market himself to other teams, and his strategy is an extremely confident one.During an interview with NBC 5 in West Palm Beach, Fla., Hester was asked who he thinks is the NFL best all-around player right now. His answer?"Me. ... I can go and play corner, I can go and play receiver, I can play running back, and I can play a little bit of safety, as well as kickoff and punt returner."Hester also said his preferred team is the one that wants him and fits him the most.



Hester has played defense sparingly since 2008; he has three total tackles since then. The Bears tried to work him in more as a wide receiver as the years went by, but he was just OK at that task. Everything Hester is in the league up to this point is due to his spectacular ability as a returner. That's why the Bears smartly used Hester as a punt and kick returner exclusively last season, and he responded by leading the NFL in return yardage by 400 yards. That should be his job with his new team. But there's no harm in believing you can do anything, especially if a team willing to pay you believes it, too.