Whitner posted nine tackles (five solo) and one pass defensed in Sunday's victory over the Ravens.

Whitner remains a highly productive IDP option in leagues that require starting defensive backs, as the 30-year-old has collected five or more tackles in each game this season. He remains in search of his first turnover, however.

Whitner collected a team-high seven solo tackles in Sunday's loss to the Chargers.

Whitner is neck and neck with Karlos Dansby for the team lead in tackles -- a race that projects to be tight all season. Due to the high tackle totals from the defensive back position, Whitner is a valuable commodity in IDP leagues that require a DB roster spot.

Whitner had a team-high 10 tackles (four solo) in Sunday's loss to the Jets.

Whitner led the entire defensive unit in combined tackles a season ago and picked up right where he left off in the opener. The consistently high tackle totals make him an asset in IDP formats where a starting defensive back is required.

Whitner, who had six tackles (five solo) in Sunday's loss to Baltimore, finished the season as the Browns' leading tackler with 106 total tackles (68 solo). He also added one interception and forced a fumble.

Whitner racked up his highest single-season tackle total since 2010, and was the only Cleveland player to eclipse the 100-mark. The Browns finished last in the league with 141.6 rushing yards allowed per game, as opposing rushers were able to get to the second level quite frequently, opening up opportunities for Whitner to rack up high tackle totals. This effect made the 29-year-old safety one of the top defensive back IDP options in 2014, and unless the Cleveland front-seven is able to significantly improve, he could be poised for another 100-tackle campaign in his age-30 season.

Whitner had eight tackles (five solo) in Sunday's loss to the Panthers.

Whitner was once again effective at making tackles from the strong safety position, and has proven to be one of the better defensive back IDP options this year with 100 total tackles.

Whitner (illness) had seven tackles (three solo) in Sunday's loss to the Bengals.

Whitner continues to rack up steady tackle totals for the Browns, but hasn't been a factor in the turnover department since all the way back in Week 9.

Whitner collected 10 tackles (five solo) in Sunday's loss to the Texans.

The Cleveland run defense was repeatedly gashed in Sunday's loss, as Houston running backs were able to get to the second level with relative ease, setting up Whitner to log his second highest tackle total of the season. Karlos Dansby -- the Browns' leading tackler heading into Sunday -- is currently scheduled for an MRI on his knee, and if the results aren't favorable, Whitner may see additional opportunities to rack up high tackle totals moving forward.

Whitner recorded eight tackles (five solo) and his first interception of the season in Sunday's victory over the Buccaneers.

Whitner had been quiet in the turnover department for most of the season, but after forcing a key fumble last week against the Raiders, and picking off a Mike Glennon pass in Week 9, his name is back on the IDP radar. The 29-year-old safety also forced a fumble in the contest, but it ended up being negated by a penalty. Whitner remains one of the key leaders of the Cleveland defense, who will continue to look to him when a big play needs to be made.

Whitner racked up seven tackles (five solo) in Sunday's loss to the Ravens.

Whitner was able to lead the Browns in combined tackles despite a run-heavy Baltimore offensive attack. It's the second time this season that the 29-year-old has done this, making him a serviceable IDP option from the safety position.

Whitner tallied 13 combined tackles in Sunday's loss to the Steelers.

Whitner saw frequent opportunities to bolster his tackle total, as Steelers' running back Le'Veon Bell was able to get to the second level several times Sunday. The safety hadn't eclipsed 83 total tackles during his last three seasons with the 49ers, but the potential is there, as he totaled 140 tackles (96 solo) in 2010 with the Bills. If he's able to produce like this consistently, Whitner could turn out to be a sneaky IDP play, especially in leagues that requires starting DBs.

Browns SS Donte Whitner has opted against changing his last name to "Hitner."

It's a slow news day to say the least. Having to change his name on car titles, mortgages, and other legal documents is the reason Whitner provided for sticking to his birth name. "All for one letter change?" Whitner said. "I'd rather not." Hitner or not, he'll still be an intimidating presence on the back end.

Browns signed SS Donte Whitner to a four-year, $28 million contract.

The Browns replace T.J. Ward with Whitner, a two-time Pro Bowler and a true intimidater over the middle. He was ProFootballFocus' No. 6 safety in the league last season. With Joe Haden and rumors of a Darrelle Revis pursuit, the Browns secondary is looking fearsome.

NFL.com's Aditi Kinkhabwala reports the Browns are "getting close" with free agents Donte Whitner and Arthur Moats.

Whitner appears to be the Browns' top target, while Moats would be following his Bills DC Mike Pettine to Cleveland. Deals will likely be wrapped up shortly after 4ET.

Dustin Fox of the Browns Radio Network reports free agent SS Donte Whitner is "likely headed" to Cleveland "when the signing period begins."

The signing period begins Tuesday at 4PM ET. The Cleveland Plain Dealer previously reported the Browns were "very serious" about signing Whitner, who played his college ball in Columbus, Ohio and would replace free agent T.J. Ward.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports the Browns are "very serious" about signing free agent Donte Whitner.

A Cleveland native, Whitner would be replacing fellow free agent T.J. Ward. The Browns' interest in Whitner could be a sign they won't be serious suitors for Jairus Byrd. Whitner would be cheaper than either Ward or Byrd.

The New York Daily News reports the Jets have interest in free agent SS Donte Whitner and RB Maurice Jones-Drew.

This is the first whisper of any team having interest in Jones-Drew -- and the same goes for Whitner -- since the negotiating window opened Saturday at noon. Whitner would be a tough fit in New York because he's a box safety similar to current Jets SS Dawan Landry. Jones-Drew would upgrade on Bilal Powell as a third-down back, and likely form a backfield timeshare with Chris Ivory.

CSN Bay Area reports the 49ers are not expected to use the franchise tag this offseason.

SS Donte Whitner, CB Tarell Brown, and WR Anquan Boldin would appear to be the most likely candidates for the tag. The 49ers would like to re-sign all three, but the tenders at each position are awfully high. It would cost the 49ers about $8 million to tag Whitner, $11.5 million to tag Boldin, and $11.2 million to slap it on Brown. Whitner is just 28 and is our No. 3 free-agent safety.

CSN Bay Area expects impending 49ers free agents SS Donte Whitner and CB Tarell Brown to reach the open market.

49ers SS Donte Whitner has filed official paperwork to change his last name to "Hitner."

"That's what I do. It's my last name and removing a letter makes it pretty cool," he said. One of the league's poster boys for illegal hits on defenseless receivers, Whitner was most recently fined $21,000 for his shot on Chris Givens last Thursday night. He's hoping to get the change implemented on his jersey by this Sunday. Once it happens, Whitner will reportedly have to purchase all the remaining inventory of merchandise with his old name on it.

Donte Whitner (hip) will play in Week 4 against the Eagles.

He was limited all week in practice, but the 49ers will need everything he has to stop LeSean McCoy today. Whitner was called "highly questionable" heading into today's game, so there's a good chance he's at less than 100 percent.